Trāṭaka

Trāṭaka (Sanskrit: त्राटक "look, gaze") is a yogic purification (a shatkarma) and a tantric method of meditation that involves staring at a single point such as a small object, symbol or yantra such as the Om symbol, black dot or candle flame.

Historical and Traditional Background Trāṭaka is named among the six cleansing techniques (ṣaṭkarma) in the classical yogic manual Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā — where it is defined as “gazing steadily at a small mark until tears flow,” and is said to eradicate eye diseases, fatigue, and sloth.Svātmārāma, Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā, ch. 2, śloka 31–32; translation at sacred-texts.com It is likewise described in the classical treatise Gheranda Saṃhitā, in which it is listed among the purification (ṣaṭkarma) practices and also recommended as a preparatory exercise for deeper meditation and concentration (dhāraṇā).Gheranda Saṃhitā, ch. 1; see discussion in modern overview of Trāṭaka kriya Across traditional Indian yoga lineages the technique has been used both as a śodhana (sensory/ocular purification) method and as a dhyāna-preparing concentrating practice.Review: “Tradition and science of Trataka kriya”, Yoga Mimamsa (2024)

Trāṭaka

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