Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669

Dhyanayoga In and

Dr. Saroj Kumar Sahu Sheetal Arya

INTRODUCTION The Gheranda says, one pointed awareness () of an object or thought Dhyana () is one of the eight limbs of process is dhyana. yoga as mentioned in Patanjali Yogasutra. The Yogachudamani Upanishad described dhyana as Samadhih samata prokta yavad dhyanam one component of sadanga yoga (six prthak-prthak. components of yoga). Dhyanabindu Upanishad (Vashistha Samhita 1/37) says that dhyana is the fifth anga of the sadanga The Vashistha Samhita says, dhyana is yoga. Dhyana is performed in Padmasana and the balanced state of distinct ideas, while with . The Yogaraja Upanisad says that is perfect equanimity. dhyana is one of the four angas of yoga such as “Dhyanameva hi jantunam karanam , pranasamrodha, dhyana and samadhi. bandhamokshayoh” It comes under antaranga yoga. Swami Satyananda says meditation is the (Vashistha Samhita 4/17) vehicle which takes one on the inner trip. Meditation, indeed is the cause of bondage and liberation of all the beings. DEFINITION OF DHYANA “Dhyanam Atmasvarupasya vedanam “Tatra pratyaya ekatanata dhyanam.” manasa bhavet” (Patanjali Yogasutra III/2) (Vashistha Samhita 4/19) In dharana (concentration), the Meditation is defined as the true continuous flow of similar mental modifications understanding of one’s own Self by mind. is dhyana. “ chinmatrameveti chintanam “Soham chinmatramebeti chintanam dhyanamuchyate.” dhyanam uchyate.” (Yoga Vashistha Sara – 10/24) (Trisikhibrahmanopanishad - 30) “I am that Supreme Self which is Dhyana is the perfect reflection of self alone and ”, this type of as absolute consciousness and Soham. reflection is called as dhyana (contemplation).

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AIM OF DHYANA imagination of one’s Self in the form of child within Swami says that the the lotus of heart and meditation on solar plexus aim of meditation is to still the ever restless mind and to contemplate upon the golden Purusha in and make it one pointed. This is in fact the aim of its middle illuminating the whole world. yoga to allow one to meditate while being involved Swami Satyananda Saraswati says about in worldly activities. During meditation a link is two types of meditation – passive and active. made between the higher regions of mind. Passive meditation is the aim of sitting in one pose TYPES OF DHYANA and performing a meditational practice. Successive passive meditation will automatically In Trisikhi-brahmanopanisad – lead to active meditation. Active meditation is that bhaga, it is described that dhyana on Paramatma which occurs one’s daily duties when one walks, and is of two types - Saguna dhyan talks, eats and so on. Active meditation can be and Nirguna dhyana. Both the dhyanas lead to developed by performing the passive meditational mukti (liberation). In Yogatatva Upanishad, two practices and by developing one’s self identity, types of dhyana are described - Saguna dhyan as well as performing the techniques of and Nirguna dhyana. As per Brahmasutra three karmayoga and bhaktiyoga. types of dhyana are there - Nirguna dhyana (Unconditional or attribute less meditation), OBJECTS OF DHYANA (LAKSHYA) Saguna dhyana (Conditional or qualified In Sthula dhyana the object of meditation meditation) and Pratika dhyana (Symbolical or is or Deity. One meditates on the physical Idolatrous meditation). In three form of one’s Ishta or deity. In Yotir dhyana types of dhyana are described - Sthula dhyana it is Brahman or Prakriti as a mass of light. One or Murtimaya dhyana (Gross or Physical meditates on or visualizes the brilliant flame form meditation), Yotir dhyana or Tejomaya dhyana of Brahman. In Sukhsma dhyana, Brahman (Meditation full of light) and Sukhsma dhyana (Absolute) in the form of Bindu or or Bindumaya dhyana (Subtle meditation). Yotir is the object of meditation. dhyana is 100 times superior to Sthula dhyana. Sukhsma dhyana is one lakh times superior to The Svetasvatara Upanishad says that a Yotir dhyana. Sukhsma dhyana is the real spiritual seeker should seek the grace of Savita, meditation. Another three types of dhyana are the source of the whole world and concentrate also described in Gheranda Samhita - Bahiranga on that eternal Brahman. The object of meditation dhyana (External meditation), Antaranga should be the Cosmic Self (both Saguna dhyana (Internal meditation) and Ekachitta Brahman and Nirguna Brahman). The dhyana (One pointed meditation). In Vashistha Yogakundali Upanishad says that Atma should Samhita two types of dhyana are described - be visualized and meditate upon. It is merely the Saguna dhyana and Nirguna dhyana. Saguna size of thumb and like the light of lamp placed dhyana is of 5 types such as to contemplate on inside a pot. It shines like a light of lamp placed in Lord Narayana on eight petaled lotus of heart, to a pot. The objects of meditation as described in imagine Vaisvanara on middle of lotus of heart, Trisikhi-brahmanopanisad are Vasudeva, concentrating on own Self on middle of eyebrows, Paramakasa (great ether, who shines for ever

34 JANUARY - 2020 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 with the light of crores of Suns, as sitting in the special room for meditation which should be clean lotus of his own heart), Viswa Roopi (one who is and tidy, free from distracting vibrations and of the form of universe, who has several forms, associations. several faces, several planks with several ASANA FOR DHYANA armaments, several eyes which shine like crores of suns, several colors and who is peaceful and The meditation are also very angry). The should meditate on (Easy pose), Ardha Padmasana (Half-lotus that indestructible matter which shines like God’s pose), Padmasana (Lotus pose), grace in the centre of the heart, on that ultimate (Accomplished pose for men), truth which is beyond Turiya, on that Sun who is Asana (Accomplished pose for women), the form of wisdom which is immeasurable and Swasitkasana (Auspicious pose) and Dhyana unending, on that being who is like a shining lamp Veerasana (Hero’s meditation pose). in a windless place and on that being who is like FOR DHYANA the shine of unprocessed gems. The Yogi should Pranayama serves as a basis for many be able to see and experience the shine of that types of mediation. Those are deva with the universal macro or micro form or sodhana pranayama (psychic network at least a small portion of him in his lotus like heart. purification), pranayama (The psychic As per Siddha Siddhanta Paddhati, three places breath), Bhastrika pranayama (Bellows breath), of meditation (lakshya) are identified with Moon pranayama (Frontal brain (Head), Sun (Heart) and Fire (Genitals). cleansing breath) and Bhramari pranayama PRANAVA DHYANA (Humming bee breath). As per Dhyanabindu Upanishad, the one FOR DHYANA Akshara (letter ) should be contemplated meant for meditation are Jnana upon as Brahman. One should contemplate on mudra ( Pshychic gesture of knowledge), Chin Omkara as Isvara resembling an unshaken light mudra (Psychic gesture of consciousness), (sthira dipa), as of the size of a thumb (Angustha Khechari mudra ( Tongue lock), Shanmukhi matra) and as motionless. It says during puraka mudra ( Closing the seven gates), Akasi mudra (inhalation) one should meditate upon Mahavishnu (Awareness of inner space), Vajroli mudra at Nabhi sthana (navel). During kumbhaka (Thunder bolt attitude), Sahajoli mudra (retention) one should meditate upon at (Spontaneous psychic attitude), Shambhavi hrd sthana (heart) and during rechaka mudra (Eye brow centre gazing) and Agochari (exhalation) one should meditate upon at mudra or Nasikagra ( Nose tip gazing). lalata sthana (between the two eyebrows). FOR DHYANA PLACE FOR DHYANA Bandhas meant for meditation are The stillness and calm of nature acts as a Jalandhara bandha (Throat lock), Moola perfect setting for the practice of meditation. One bandha (Perineum contraction), Uddiyana should face north or east to take advantage of bandha (Abdominal contraction) and Maha favorable magnetic vibrations. It is best to have a bandha (The great lock).

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DHYANA AND RELATED As per Dhyanabindu Upanishad, dhyana In Sthula dhyana, Anahat and yoga is the destroyer of papa (sin). The one Sahasrara chakras are activated. But the Akshara (letter Om) should be contemplated upon as Brahamn which is called Pranav Mooladhara and Ajna chakras are activated in meditation. The Svetasvatara Upanishad says if Yotir dhyana. one keeps on meditating on the cosmic Self after PRACTICES OF DHYANA death, he attains the third state, the state of over There are different practices of dhyana lordship that is he becomes one with Isvara. It such as Japa yoga, Mantra yoga, Ajapa says that if one meditates on Saguna Brahman, he becomes one with Isvara. This is called japa, Yoganidra, Antarmouna, Inner mukti (gradual liberation). If one meditates on visualization, Trataka and Antar trataka, Nada Nirguna Brahman, he gets immediate liberation. yoga, and Kundalini . It says that concentration on the eternal Brahman BENEFITS OF DHYANA will save him from being drawn into public welfare Dharanabhirmanodhairya jati caitanyam activities and being shackled by this world. In Trisikhi-Brahmanopanisad it is said that both adbhutam” Saguna dhyan and Nirguna dhyana lead to (Yogachudamani Upanishad -110) mukti (liberation). If a Yogi is able to meditate, The Yogachudamani Upanishad says that his mental preoccupations will be completely one enjoys chaitanya (lightened state of calmed down. He would have salvation in his grip. consciousness) during the practice of dhyana. All the occult powers like Anima would be very much within his reach. “Sagunam dhyanam etat syat animadi “Dhyanena Atmani Pasyanti kechit gunapradam, Atmanam Atmana” Nirgunadhyana yuktasya samadhischa ( - 13/24) tato bhavet.” As per Bhagavad Gita, dhyana (Yogatattva Upanishad – 105) (meditation) is better than jnana (intellectual The Yogatattva Upanisad says that knowledge) and jnana is better than abhyasa dharana on Akasa tatva for six ghatikas (two (practice). hours twenty four minutes) leads to Saguna “Dhyanat Pratyaksha Atmani” dhyana which gives different . Nirguna (Gheranda Samhita 1/11) dhyana leads to Samadhi within twelve ghatikas. The Gheranda Samhita says, by dhyana “Jadi sailasama papam bistirnam one can get Pratyaksha Atman (self realization). bahuyojanam, It is becoming one with the soul or higher self. Vidyate dhanayogena nanyobhedah “Atma sakshat bhavet jasmat tasmat kadachana.” dhyanam visisyate” (Dhyanabindu Upanishad -1) (Gheranda Samhita 5/22)

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Dhyanayoga is a most precious knowledge by more one gets the power of penetration and one which, there is direct perception of the Self. pointedness of mind and finally the power of “Dhyanameva hi mohshasya introspection. Swami Shivananda Saraswati says mahamargastapodhana”. that meditation allows us to see things as they are, without the masking veil of our likes and dislikes, (Vashistha Samhita 4/54) without fear or hope’. Swami Satyananda Meditation alone is the highway to salvation. Saraswati says that the culmination of meditation is self-realization. It makes us conscious of HEALTH BENEFITS OF DHYANA connection between the outer and inner life and Swami Satyananda Saraswati says leads to spiritual happiness and peace. Sustained meditation implies relaxation, both physical meditation leads into Samadhi which is the highest and mental. It acts as a holistic treatment for state of meditation. The Trisikhi-Brahmanopanisad disease. It is a most powerful way of says that one has to understand that the realization controlling physiological processes and also of of the universal truth of the unity of Jeevatma controlling physiological reactions to (Soul) and Paramatma (God) which is that “I psychological events. During meditation there am Brahman and Brahman is me” is the real state is a slowing down of the metabolism, for there of Samadhi which is an enlightened state of is a sharp reduction in oxygen consumption meditation where all the thought process are and carbon dioxide output. The reduced unified with God. That man becomes Brahman metabolic rate is due to the control over the and he does not take another birth. involuntary nervous system output which one BIBLIOGRAPHY develops through meditation. Meditation has a noticeable influence on blood pressure, 1) Saraswati, Swami Satyananda. Four chapters on Freedom, Yoga Publication Trust, Munger, Bihar, which drops much lower than normal both 2006. during and after meditation. The heart rate 2) Baba, Bangali. Yogasutra Patanjali With the also slows down. Blood flow increases during Commentary of Vyasa, Motilal Banarsidass meditation. During meditation the activities Publishers Private Limited, 41 U. A. Bangalow of the sympathetic system are reduced and Road, Jawahar Nagar, Delhi 1100007, 2005. therefore constriction of the blood vessels is 3) Nambiar, . K. Yoga of Patanjali, The automatically decreased, resulting in a greater Divine life Society, Shivanandnagar, Tehri- flow of blood. It is the sure way to counteract Garhwal, n.d. different states of mind such as pessimism, 4) Saraswati, Swami Satyananda. Meditation from depression and tension. During meditation one the , Yoga Publication Trust, Munger, Bihar, 2005. experiences a feeling of no anxiety. 5) Sivananda, Swami. The Bhagavad Gita, The CONCLUSION Divine Life Society, P.O.- Shivanandnagar, 249192. Dist- Tehri-Garhwal, Uttaranchal, Himalayas, India, Swami says those who practice 2003. meditation regularly and systematically as 6) Swarupananda, Swami. Srimad Bhagavad Gita, instructed by the teacher get into the mood of Advaita , 5 Delhi Entally Road, Kolkata – meditation easily. The more one meditates the 700014, March 2016.

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7) Goyandaka, Jayadayal. Srimad Bhagavad Gita 14) Sivananda, Sri Swami. Brahma , The Divine Tattvavivecani, Gita Press, Gorakhpur - 273005, life Society, P.O. Shivanandnagar - 249192, Tehri- India, 2017. Garhwal, Uttarakhand, Himalayas, India. 2012. 8) Saraswati, Swami Niranjanananda. Gheranda 15) Digambarji, Swami, Jha, Pitambar, and Sahay, Gyan Samhita, Yoga Publication Trust, Munger, Bihar, Shankar. Vasistha Samhita, Kaivalyadhama, India, 2012. Swami Kuvalayananda Marg, Lonavla, Dist. Pune – 410403, Maharashtra, INDIA, 2017. 9) Sharma, Srinivasa. Gheranda Samhita, Yogatatvam, Chaukhamba Vidya Bhawan, 16) Sarvadevananda, Swami. Yoga Vashistha Sarah, , 2006. Sri Math, Mylapore, Chennai- 600004. 10) Sharma, H. L. Gheranda Samhita, Chaukhamba Orientaliya, Delhi, 110007, India. 17) The Sivananda Book of Meditation, The Sivananda Yoga Centre, Gaia Books. 11) , Sris Chandra. The Gheranda Samhita, A Treatise on , Shivalik Prakashan, Delhi, 18) http://sanskritdocuments.org India, 2003. 12) Lokeswarananda, Swami. Svetasvatara Upanisad, Institute of Culture, Gol park, Kolkata, 700029, 2016. Dr. Saroj Kumar Sahu, AYUSH Medical Officer (NHM) & Guest Assistant Professor (Yoga), Khajuriakata, 13) Gharote, M. Manmath, Devnath, Parimal, and Jha, Balimi, Dist- Dhenkanal – 759020, Odisha. Vijay Kant. Trisikhibrahmanopanisad, Yogakundaly Upanisad, Yogacudamany Mrs. Sheetal Arya, Divine Life Holistic Health Centre, Upanisad, The Lonavla Yoga Institute (India), 3rd Floor, Complex A, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose 2009. Arcade, Dargha Bazar, Cuttack-8, Odisha.

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