Krishjan

Chapter 8 — Eighth Khanda

Jabal Darshan

9 Shloka • Translation Only

Now, O noble one, I shall explain the five forms of Dhāraṇā. One should contemplate the outer Ākāśa (space) within the inner space that exists in the middle of the body.

Likewise, within the Prāṇa, one should contemplate the outer air. Within the digestive fire, one should contemplate fire. Within the watery principle, one should contemplate water. And within the earthly element, O great sage, one should contemplate earth.

One should recite, in due sequence, the mantra known as "Ha-Ba-Ra-Va-La-Ka". This is declared to be the supreme Dhāraṇā, which purifies all sins.

The region extending up to the knees is said to belong to the element of Earth (Pṛthivī). From the knees up to the anus is said to be the region of Water (Ap). The region up to the heart belongs to Fire (Agni). From there up to the middle of the eyebrows is the region of Air (Vāyu).

O wise one, the region of Ākāśa (Space) is declared to extend up to the crown of the head. In the region of Earth, one should contemplate Brahmā. Likewise, in the region of Water, one should contemplate Viṣṇu.

In the region of Fire, one should contemplate Maheśāna (Śiva). In the region of Air, one should contemplate Īśvara. In the region of Ākāśa (Space), O greatly wise one, one should contemplate Sadāśiva.

Or again, O foremost of sages, I shall explain another form of Dhāraṇā. One should contemplate Śiva as the indwelling Puruṣa, the ruler of all, and as the embodiment of Consciousness and Bliss.

The wise practitioner should constantly maintain this Dhāraṇā for the purification of all sins. Absorbing all effects and manifestations, beginning with Brahmā and the rest, back into their respective causes...

One should contemplate the Unmanifest (Avyakta)—the cause of all causes, indescribable and beyond objective cognition— as completely resolved into the Self, fixing the mind upon the Praṇava (Om). Withdrawing the senses, one should unite the mind with the Ātman.