Complete learning edition. The Sanskrit source remains separate from attributed word meanings, translation, explanation and commentary witnesses. Diagrams and memory aids are study tools, not replacements for the source text.
शनैः शनैरुपरमेद् बुद्ध्या धृतिगृहीतया। आत्मसंस्थं मनः कृत्वा न किञ्चिदपि चिन्तयेत्।।6.25।।
śhanaiḥ śhanair uparamed buddhyā dhṛiti-gṛihītayā ātma-sansthaṁ manaḥ kṛitvā na kiñchid api chintayet
Little by little, with the help of his reason controlled by fortitude, let him attain peace; and, fixing his mind on the Self, let him not think of anything else.
English rendering by Shri Purohit Swami. Each source voice remains named.

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| Sanskrit form | Meaning here |
|---|---|
| śhanaiḥ | gradually |
| śhanaiḥ | gradually |
| uparamet | attain peace |
| buddhyā | by intellect |
| dhṛiti-gṛihītayā | achieved through determination of resolve that is in accordance with scriptures |
| ātma-sanstham | fixed in God |
| manaḥ | mind |
| kṛitvā | having made |
| na | not |
| kiñchit | anything |
| api | even |
| chintayet | should think of |
The practitioner of Yoga should attain tranillity gradually or by degrees, by,means of the intellect controlled by steadiness. The peace of the Eternal will fill the heart gradually with thrill and bliss through the constant and protracted practice of steady conentration.
Attributed explanatory witness: Swami Sivananda. Chapter lens: Sequence preparation, discipline, mind, meditation, difficulty, failure and the chapter’s final comparison of yogīs.
Three named reading witnesses
Śaṅkara edition witness
Swami GambiranandaOne should gradually withdraw with the intellect, endowed with steadiness. Making the mind fixed in the Self, one should not think of anything at all.
Rāmānuja edition witness
Swami AdidevanandaLittle by little, one should withdraw oneself from objects other than the self, with the help of the intellect held by firm resolution; and then one should think of nothing else, having fixed the mind upon the Self.
Sivananda commentary witness
Swami SivanandaThe practitioner of Yoga should attain tranillity gradually or by degrees, by,means of the intellect controlled by steadiness. The peace of the Eternal will fill the heart gradually with thrill and bliss through the constant and protracted practice of steady conentration.
These are concise, attributed reading witnesses from identified editions. They are presented for comparison and are not merged into one anonymous interpretation.
Meaning map
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- 1
Little by little, with the help of his reason controlled by fortitude, let him attain peace
- 2
and, fixing his mind on the Self, let him not think of anything else
- 3
śhanaiḥ: gradually

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Sequence preparation, discipline, mind, meditation, difficulty, failure and the chapter’s final comparison of yogīs.
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