The Gheranda Samhita Dhyana Mantra refers to the meditative verses found within the Gheranda Samhita, a classical text on Hatha Yoga composed by the sage Gheranda. This text is structured around a dialogue between Gheranda and his disciple Chanda, and it systematically expounds a seven-limbed path of yoga (saptanga yoga), distinct from the eight-limbed system of Patanjali. The seven limbs are: shatkarma (purification), asana (posture), mudra (seal), pratyahara (sense withdrawal), pranayama (breath control), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (absorption).
The dhyana mantras within the text are used to focus the mind during meditation and to invoke the presence of the supreme deity, Adinath (Shiva), who is considered the originator of yoga. According to the Gheranda Samhita (Chapter 7, verses 1-4), dhyana is defined as the cessation of all mental modifications, and the text prescribes various objects of meditation, including the form of one's chosen deity (ishta devata) or the luminous self. The beej-akshara (seed syllable) 'Om' is frequently employed as a foundational mantra for meditation, as stated in the Gheranda Samhita (Chapter 5, verse 83): 'Om is the supreme mantra, the essence of all sounds.' The traditional purpose of chanting these dhyana mantras is to attain mental stillness, purify the subtle body, and ultimately achieve samadhi, the state of union with the divine.
The recommended chanting context includes a quiet, clean space, preferably during the brahma muhurta (pre-dawn hours), with a consistent practice of 108 repetitions per session. Practitioners are advised to maintain a steady posture and controlled breathing. Cautions include the need for proper guidance from a qualified guru, as advanced practices like pranayama and dhyana can cause imbalances if performed incorrectly.
The Gheranda Samhita itself (Chapter 5, verses 1-2) emphasizes the importance of gradual practice and the purification of the nadis before undertaking deeper meditation. This mantra tradition is pan-Indian and has gained global recognition through the spread of Hatha Yoga.
The primordial sound, used as a meditation object in Gheranda Samhita.
Oṁ is the supreme seed-syllable (bīja) containing all sounds, as per Gheranda Samhita 5.83.