Prakaraṇa 7, verse 7 continues the systematic framework of the Yājñavalkya Yoga by outlining the tiered nature of meditative practice. The categorization of meditation as sthula – gross – sukshma – subtle – and para – supreme – reflects a hierarchy of increasing refinement, akin to the distinctions found in Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras. The sthula meditation, focusing on the murti – the manifested form – is a foundational step, a necessary preparation for deeper exploration. The sukshma meditation, undertaken by the ‘knower of yoga’ (yoga-vit) – a practitioner deeply immersed in the discipline – centers on tattva – the fundamental principle or essence – reflecting a direct engagement with the underlying reality. This highlights the importance of discernment and understanding the root causes of illusion. The para meditation, the supreme form, represents the culmination of this process, moving beyond the conceptual grasp of the tattva towards a state of pure awareness, a path that requires the disciplined mastery of the earlier stages.