Dharana and Drishti: Attentive gaze to focus

Dr Satish K Kapoor

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Desha-bandhah chittasya dharana — ‘Dharana is the binding of the mind in one place or spot.’ — Patanjali , Yoga Sutra III

Dharana (from the root dhri, meaning to hold or to sustain) is the sixth limb of Ashtanga Yoga. It is the practice of continuous attention on a single object to achieve ekagrata or one-pointedness. These objects may range from the breath or a subtle energy centre in the body to a mantra, or a point of light; from an incarnation or a sacred image to an ennobling thought, or something else.

Typology of drishti

Dharana is entwined with drishti, vision, both outer and inner. As is one’s drishti, so is one’s world of thought. Yogis speak of nine points of focused vision for attention. These are : bhrumadhya, between the eyebrows; nasagra, tip of the nose; nabhi chakra, the navel; padyagra, tips of feet; angushta madhya, middle of thumb; hastagra, tips of hands; parshava, right or left sides; and urdhava, upwards or skywards. As one looks steadily and intently, using specific direction of eyes, one develops concentration over a period of time.

Five elements

Some yogis prefer to focus on one of the five primal elements of nature to connect with the divine spirit. The earth is conjured up as a yellow square, the water as a silvery crescent, the fire as a crimson red blaze, the air as a grimy sacrificial altar, and the ether, as shiny spaciousness. It is traditionally believed that by invoking an element, one is imbued with its energy. The energy of the earth keeps one grounded, of air makes one light, of fire rejuvenates the organism; of water endows one with an assimilative disposition, and of space makes one subtle.

Eye-position

Focusing is sometime viewed in terms of phases of the moon. The moon is a significant reference point for an itinerary into the self. The Mandala-brahmana Upanishad (II.1) distinguishes three types of drishti during meditation: ama-drishti, or ‘new-moon glance’, in which eyes are closed; pratipada drishti, ‘first- lunar day-glance’, in which eyes are half-open, and purnima drishti, ‘full-moon glance’, in which eyes are fully opened.

Obstacles in dharana

Dharana builds on moral integrity, breath-control and sensory restraint. The obstacles in its practice are stress, sleepiness, self indulgence, spiritual ignorance, boredom, inability to withhold attention for long, or lack of will to stick to a practice, given the wandering nature of the mind. One should sit comfortably at fixed place and time, breathe mindfully and keep one’s gaze steady for as long as one can.

There are no shortcuts to success in mastering dharana as it requires regularity, right intention, persistence and self appraisal. When focus is stable, the mind becomes free from internal chatter, and is ready to commune with the higher self.

(Dr Kapoor is a noted educationist, historian and spiritualist).