Meditative techniques in classical hatha yoga texts: A comparative approach

Abstract

Meditative techniques are basically the process of focusing the mind or some practices which turn the normal human mind into a focused mind. Mainly these techniques help to develop the concentration of the individual psychic which is known as Dhārnā. In the Hatha Yoga tradition, we found many techniques, methods and processes of concentration. This paper attempts to outline the meditative techniques which are mentioned in these Classical Yogic texts, as Haṭha yoga pradīpikā, Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā and Haṭharatnāvalī. The purpose of the study is to light on the meditative techniques which are preserved in these Classical Haṭha yoga texts in comparative perspective, that transformation the mind in Transcendent mode and reader will be more familiar with method, practices and techniques of meditation. Here, all above mentioned yogic texts come under the Haṭha Yoga tradition which was developed in the 6th to 15th centuries AD. Meditative practices, we can also find out in our ancient Vedic culture in an early age it was the part of daily of a prayer in a different form. Recently, the archeologists have unearthed the sculptures in a meditative posture in the ancient Indus valley civilization, Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa site.