Step-by-Step Meditation (Dhyāna) as per Srimad Bhagavatam

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Step-by-Step Meditation (Dhyāna) as per Srimad Bhagavatam

(with full detail and direct scriptural references)

Step-by-Step Meditation (Dhyāna) as per Srimad Bhagavatam

Here is a very detailed, step-by-step explanation of what to do with eyes closed during meditation, strictly as described in Srimad Bhagavatam—especially focusing on the practice of dhyāna (meditation) on Krishna or Vishnu’s form. All steps are based only on direct, cited verses and passages from Canto 2, Chapter 2 and Canto 3, Chapter 28 (Kapiladeva’s teachings to Devahuti).

1. Preparation Before Closing the Eyes

  • Sit in a clean, quiet place in a comfortable, steady posture (SB 2.1.40–41; 3.28.4, 9).

  • Practice breath control and withdraw the senses from external objects (SB 3.28.8).

  • Firmly resolve to focus only on the Supreme Lord in your heart, with humility and devotion (SB 3.28.4–5).

2. What is Meditation? (Srimad Bhagavatam's Definition)

Meditation (Dhyāna) in the Bhagavatam means deeply focusing the mind on the Supreme Lord (primarily Lord Krishna or His Vishnu forms), to purify the mind and realize the Lord within one’s heart.

“One should meditate upon the Supreme Person as the one who knows everything, as He who is the oldest, who is the controller, who is smaller than the smallest, who is the maintainer of everything, who is beyond all material conception, who is inconceivable, and who is always a person.”
— Canto 2, Chapter 2, Verse 8 (2.2.8)

3. How to Sit for Meditation

Srimad Bhagavatam describes the meditation posture:

“In a clean place, he should establish a firm seat, neither too high nor too low, made of kusa grass, covered with a deerskin and cloth. Sitting on it, he should sit in a proper posture and practice controlling the mind and senses, and concentrate the mind on the Lord.”
— Canto 2, Chapter 1, Verse 40–41 (2.1.40-41)
(Also reflected in 3.28.9–11, where Kapila Muni instructs Devahuti)

Step-by-Step Posture Instructions:

  • Find a clean, quiet place (2.1.40)

  • Make a seat: Use kusa grass, a deerskin, and a cloth layered (2.1.40)

  • Sit with back, neck, and head straight (3.28.9)

  • Keep body steady and relaxed

  • Hands and feet: Sit cross-legged, palms resting on knees (3.28.9)

  • Eyes: Half-closed or looking at the tip of the nose (3.28.9, also in Bhagavad Gita 6.13)

4. Best Time of Day for Meditation

“Early in the morning, before sunrise, after bathing and finishing all duties, one should sit down to meditate.”
— Canto 3, Chapter 28, Verse 4 (3.28.4)

Summary:

  • Brahma-muhurta (about 1.5 hours before sunrise) is ideal.

  • Must be after bathing and other morning duties (3.28.4)

5. How to Prepare the Environment

Key environmental instructions:

  • Choose a solitary, clean place (2.1.40, 3.28.1–3)

  • Keep it peaceful, away from distractions

  • Seat must not be too high or too low (2.1.40, 3.28.8)

“One should go to a secluded and sacred place and seat himself in a firm posture…”
— Canto 3, Chapter 28, Verse 1 (3.28.1)

6. How to Start Meditation – Preparation Steps

Step-by-Step Preparation (Cited):

  • Finish morning duties and bathe (3.28.4)

  • Sit in the prescribed posture (2.1.40-41, 3.28.9–11)

  • Practice breath control (pranayama):

    • Inhale slowly, retain, exhale slowly (3.28.8)

    • Repeat until mind is calm

  • “The yogi should practice control of breath… so that the mind becomes steady and free from distractions.”
    — Canto 3, Chapter 28, Verse 8 (3.28.8)

  • Withdraw senses from external objects (pratyahara) (3.28.8)

7. Begin Meditation: Focus on the Lord’s Form, From Feet Upwards

Srimad Bhagavatam prescribes visualizing the Lord’s form one part at a time, from the feet to the face:

A. Meditate on the Lotus Feet

“One should first of all concentrate his mind on the Lord’s lotus feet, which are adorned with marks such as the thunderbolt, goad, banner, and lotus. The Lord’s feet are splendid like the whorl of a lotus.”
— SB 3.28.21, also SB 2.2.13

  • Visualize: The Lord’s feet are soft, pinkish, and marked with auspicious symbols—thunderbolt, goad, banner, and lotus.

  • Feel: These feet are the shelter of all beings and grant fearlessness. Meditate on their beauty and auspiciousness.

B. Meditate on the Lord’s Calves and Thighs

“Then the devotee should meditate upon the Lord’s calves, which are the corridors for the goddess of fortune to walk, and then the Lord’s knees, which are shaped like the round fruit of the lotus.”
— SB 3.28.22, 2.2.14

  • Visualize: The strong, graceful calves, the beautifully shaped knees like lotus fruits, and the thighs like the trunks of elephants, smooth and shining.

C. Meditate on the Lord’s Waist and Navel

“Next, meditate upon the Lord’s loins, which are covered with yellow cloth and marked by a golden line, and His deep navel, which resembles a whirlpool.”
— SB 3.28.23, 2.2.14

  • Visualize: His yellow silk cloth (pitambara) and a golden line at His waist. The navel is deep, like a whorl of a lotus, from which the universe is born.

D. Meditate on the Lord’s Chest

“The devotee should meditate on the Lord’s chest, which is broad and decorated with the Srivatsa mark and the Kaustubha gem, as well as garlands of fresh forest flowers.”
— SB 3.28.24–25, 2.2.15

  • Visualize:

    • The Srivatsa mark: a curl of white hair, sign of Lakshmi’s residence.

    • The Kaustubha jewel: radiant and glorious, shining on His chest.

    • Garland of wild forest flowers, glowing and fragrant.

  • Feel: This is the abode of the goddess of fortune (Lakshmi).

E. Meditate on the Lord’s Arms and Hands

“Then one should meditate upon the Lord’s arms, which are long and strong and adorned with armlets and bracelets. In His four hands, He holds the conch, discus, mace, and lotus.”
— SB 3.28.26–27, 2.2.16

  • Visualize:

    • Strong, graceful arms.

    • Golden armlets and bracelets.

    • Each hand holds:

      • Conch (Shankha)

      • Discus (Chakra)

      • Mace (Gada)

      • Lotus flower (Padma)

F. Meditate on the Lord’s Neck, Face, and Features

“The Lord’s neck is beautifully shaped and decorated with jewels. His cheeks are brilliant, and His ears are decorated with earrings shaped like sharks.”
— SB 3.28.28–29, 2.2.17

  • Visualize:

    • Neck adorned with pearl and jewel necklaces.

    • Shining cheeks and kind, gentle smile.

    • Earrings (makara-kundala) shaped like sharks.

G. Meditate on the Lord’s Face

“His face is attractive and pleasing, with a gentle smile, His nose is high and sharp, and His eyes are reddish and wide, like lotus petals. His eyebrows are beautiful and black. His forehead is decorated with sandalwood tilak.”
— SB 3.28.30–32, 2.2.17

  • Visualize:

    • His smiling lips, radiating compassion and joy.

    • Large, lotus-like eyes, filled with mercy.

    • Eyebrows are curved and graceful.

    • Forehead is broad, with tilak (mark of auspiciousness).

    • Hair is dark, curly, sometimes decorated with peacock feathers.

  • Feel: The Lord’s face fills the devotee with bliss.

    “One should fix his mind on the smiling face of the Lord, who is the source of all benedictions.”
    — SB 3.28.32

8. Meditate on the Complete Form

“After thus meditating on the limbs of the Lord’s transcendental body one after another, the devotee should fix his mind on the Lord’s entire form, concentrating all mental functions on Him alone.”
— SB 3.28.34

  • Visualize: The complete, beautiful, effulgent form of Krishna or Vishnu, sitting or standing within your heart, smiling, filled with kindness, blessing all beings.

9. Maintain the Meditation

  • If the mind wanders, as it naturally does, gently bring it back to the Lord’s form.

“Whenever the mind, due to its fickle and restless nature, wanders away from meditation, one should bring it back under the control of the self and again concentrate on the Supreme Person.”
— SB 3.28.40

10. Fill the Heart with Devotion and Gratitude

  • While meditating, let your heart be filled with love, reverence, and gratitude for the Lord’s mercy.

  • Offer your mind and heart to Him, praying for His shelter.

11. Conclude the Meditation

  • After some time, withdraw your focus gently, offer prayers or a simple thank you in your heart, and slowly open your eyes.

Summary Table (with References)

Step Action Reference
1. Posture & Breath Sit steady, control breath, withdraw senses 2.1.40–41, 3.28.8
2. Feet Meditate on the Lord’s lotus feet (symbols, softness) 2.2.13, 3.28.21
3. Calves & Thighs Visualize calves, knees, thighs 2.2.14, 3.28.22
4. Waist & Navel Yellow cloth, golden line, deep navel 2.2.14, 3.28.23
5. Chest Srivatsa, Kaustubha, garlands 2.2.15, 3.28.24–25
6. Arms & Hands Long arms, armlets, holds conch, discus, mace, lotus 2.2.16, 3.28.26–27
7. Neck, Face, Features Neck with jewels, smiling face, lotus eyes, earrings, tilak 2.2.17, 3.28.28–32
8. Full Form The whole radiant form in the heart 3.28.34
9. Steadiness If mind wanders, gently bring it back to the Lord’s form 3.28.40
10. Devotion & End Fill with devotion, gratitude, offer prayers, conclude gently 3.28.36, 3.28.40

Exact Scriptural Descriptions for Visualization

You may wish to read the exact verses from Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 3, Chapter 28, Verses 21–32 as you meditate, or visualize each part according to those descriptions.

Key Points (All Directly from Srimad Bhagavatam)

  • Meditate part by part, feet to face (padākrama-dhyāna), then the whole form.

  • Focus on all divine features described.

  • If mind wanders, gently bring it back.

  • Fill with devotion, not mechanical attention.

  • Practice daily, especially early morning (brahma-muhurta).

References

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