Chapter 8 • Verse 12
सर्वद्वाराणि संयम्य मनो हृदि निरुध्य च। मूर्ध्न्याधायात्मनः प्राणमास्थितो योगधारणाम्॥
sarva-dvārāṇi sanyamya mano hṛidi nirudhya cha mūrdhny ādhāyātmanaḥ prāṇam āsthito yoga-dhāraṇām
Meaning
Closing all the gates of the body, confining the mind in the heart, fixing the life-breath in the head, established in yogic concentration...
The process begins: withdraw from the senses (close the gates), center awareness in the heart, and elevate the life-force to the crown. This is pratyahara and dharana — withdrawal and concentration. The outer world fades as inner reality becomes vivid.
Strength Reflection
"I practice withdrawing my awareness from external distractions to find inner stillness."
Devotional Surrender
Lord, help me close the doors of distraction and find You in the cave of my heart.