A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DHARANA ACCORDING TO VASISTHA AND GHERAND SAMHITA

Abstract

Dharana means concentration or focussing. So, Dharana can be translated as the process of focusing or fixing the attention of mind onto one object or place; or in simple terms, Concentration. Dharana is also mentioned in Gheranda Samhita where it is clubbed under the practice of Mudras. Here the focus is on concentrating on the five chakras starting from Mooladhara Chakra (root centre) to the Vishhudhi Chakra (throat centre). This is called Pancha Dharana or Concentration on the five centres.

The famous works on Yoga do not prescribe the performance of daily and other duties. The Vasistha Samhita, on the other hand, lays down two ways for the performance of rituals. At first it divides Karma into two classes, Pravartaka and Nivartaka. As both ways are of positive action, it becomes evident that Vasistha does not approve of Karmasamnyasa or renunciation of all actions.