Saguna Meditation

Saguna Meditation

Meditation on Ishta Devatas

This is meditation on a Murty, either Lord Krishna, Rama, Siva or Devi. This is a concrete form of meditation for people of Bhakti-Marga. This is meditation with Gunas, attributes of God. Repeat His name also. Think of His attributes, omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence, etc. Your mind will be filled with purity. Lord Krishna’s picture with flute in hand and Lord Vishnu’s picture with conch, discus, mace and lotus are excellent ones of concrete meditation. Enthrone Him in the lotus of your heart amidst blazing light. Mentally think of His lotus-feet, yellow silk robe, necklace set with Kaustubha gem, earrings, crown, bracelets, conch, discus, mace and lotus, and then again come back to His feet. Again and again repeat the process.

Saguna meditation is meditation on a form. Select any Murty you like best, either Siva, Vishnu, Rama or Krishna, according to your inclination or taste. Or follow the directions of your Guru. He will select for you the Ishta Devata or tutelary deity which will guide you. An archer first aims at grosser and bigger objects. Then takes up medium objects. Finally he shoots at finer and subtle objects. Even so, one should take to Saguna meditation to start with and when the mind is trained and disciplined well, he can have Nirakara, Nirguna meditation. Saguna meditation is meditation on a concrete object. Nirguna meditation is meditation on an abstract idea. Saguna Upasana removes Vikshepa. For three or six months, practise Trataka on any picture.

After six months’ practice of Trataka, meditate on the mental picture of the Murty from half to two hours only in the Trikuti (space between the two eyebrows). See and feel that the Ishta Devata is present in every object in the universe. When you meditate, mentally repeat the Mantra of the Devata. Think of the attributes of the deity, such as omnipotence, omniscience, etc. Feel that Sattvic qualities from the deity flow towards you. Feel that you possess this Sattvic Bhavana. You will have Darsana of your Ishta Devata in one or two years, if you are sincere in your Sadhana. Follow this plan. This will help concentration. Move the mind on the various parts of the Murty. Take for instance the picture of Lord Vishnu with four hands and meditate as follows. The practice of Trataka is of great use in this Saguna meditation.

“Dhyeyah sada savitrimandalamadhyavarti

Narayanah sarasijasanasannivishtah

Keyuravan makarakundalavan Kiriti

Hari hiranmayavapur-dhritasankhachakrah.”

“Sankhachakragadapane

Dvarakanilayachyuta.”

“Meditate always on Narayana seated in the Asana of lotus-flower in the midst of a lustrous sun in the lotus of heart or in Trikuti with golden armlets set with diamond, with earrings, with golden crown set with diamond, with golden necklace set with Kaustubha gem and with golden colour, with discus, conch, mace and lotus-flower in four hands-that indestructible Achyuta of Dvaraka.”

During meditation, move the mind on the various parts of Vishnu. See the various parts of Vishnu. See with the mind His feet first, then legs, then His yellow silk cloth, then His golden Hara set with diamond, Kaustubha gem, etc., on the breast, then the earrings, Makara Kundalas, then the face, then the crown on the head, then the discus on the right upper hand, then the conch on the upper left hand, then the mace on the lower right hand, then the lotus-flower on the left lower hand. This is the order. Then come down to the feet and start again to the upper parts. By this method the mind will not run towards objects.

First meditate on Virat-Purusha. Then take up Saguna meditation. Lastly have Nirguna meditation.

Meditation on Virat Purusha

Sit in Padma or Siddha Asana in your meditation room and meditate on the following thoughts for half an hour daily. This is a gross form of meditation for six months.

1. Heaven is His head.

2. Earth is His foot.

3. Quarters are His hands.

4. Sun and moon are His eyes.

5. Fire is His mouth.

6. Dharma is His back.

7. Grass and herbs are His hairs.

8. Mountains are His bones.

9. Sea is His bladder.

10. Rivers are His arteries and veins.

The mind will expand now. Afterwards take to Saguna meditation on a form of God such as Rama, Krishna or Siva. Have this kind of meditation for a year. Then have recourse to Nirguna meditation on Brahman. By the practice of these various methods, the mind becomes a fit instrument to take up abstract meditation on an abstract idea.

Meditation on Gayatri

Gayatri is the “Blessed Mother” of the Vedas. It is a symbol of God, the Lord of created beings. Japa of Gayatri Mantra produces Chitta-Suddhi without which you can do nothing, nothing in spiritual line. You can never effect an iota of spiritual progress. Gayatri is an effective universal prayer. This is also known as Brahma Gayatri.

Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah; Tat Savitur Varenyam

Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi; Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat.

Om – Para Brahman

Bhur – Bhu-Loka (Physical plane)

Bhuvah – Antariksha-Loka (Astral plane)

Svah – Svarga-Loka (Celestial plane)

Tat – Brahman; Paramatman

Savitur – Isvara; Creator

Varenyam – Fit to be worshipped

Bhargo – Remover of sins and ignorance; Glory

Devasya – Of the shining one

Dhimahi – We meditate

Dhiyo – Intellects; Buddhis

Yo – Which; Who

Nah – Our

Prachodayat – Enlighten

“Let us meditate on Isvara and His Glory, Who has created this universe, Who is fit to be worshipped, Who is the remover of all sins and ignorance. May He enlighten our Buddhis (intellects).”

Retire into the meditation room after bath just before sunrise. Sit in your Asana and repeat the Mantra mentally as many times as you can, but not less than 108 times and constantly feel that you are receiving light, purity and wisdom from Gayatri. Concentrate on the meaning of the Gayatri. This is important. Have your gaze at the Trikuti, the place between the two eyebrows.

Saguna Meditation – Divine Form, Devotion, and Inner Purification

Saguna Meditation is a devotional method in which the seeker meditates on God with name, form, qualities, and divine attributes. Saguna means “with qualities.” In this practice, the mind is given a sacred support, such as a chosen deity, divine form, mantra, light, symbol, or holy presence. For many seekers, this path is natural because the heart finds it easier to love, remember, and concentrate on a personal form of the Divine.

The ordinary mind is restless and needs a pure object on which it can rest. If it is not given a higher support, it runs toward desires, worries, memories, fears, and sense-objects. A divine form gives the mind a sacred direction. Instead of wandering in worldly thoughts, it begins to move toward purity, devotion, surrender, and peace.

Saguna Meditation begins with faith and feeling. The seeker sits quietly, calms the body, steadies the breath, and brings the chosen form of God before the mind. This form may be Rama, Krishna, Shiva, Devi, Vishnu, Christ, Buddha, or any divine ideal according to one’s faith. The outer form is a doorway to the inner presence. The aim is not mere imagination, but loving absorption in the Divine.

The heart plays a very important role in this practice. Dry concentration may become difficult, but devotion makes the mind gentle and steady. When love is present, the mind returns more naturally to the chosen ideal. Prayer, mantra repetition, worship, and remembrance create a devotional atmosphere. The seeker feels that meditation is not a burden, but a sacred meeting with the Divine.

Saguna Meditation is especially helpful for purifying emotions. Human emotion often becomes attachment, fear, jealousy, possessiveness, anger, or sorrow. When emotion is offered to God, it becomes devotion. Love becomes worship, longing becomes prayer, tears become purification, and joy becomes gratitude. In this way, the emotional nature is not suppressed; it is uplifted and spiritualized.

The chosen form should be meditated upon with steadiness. The seeker may visualize the face, eyes, hands, feet, ornaments, light, smile, or compassionate presence of the Divine. If visualization is difficult, one may repeat the divine name and feel the presence in the heart. The exact image is less important than sincerity, purity, and loving attention.

Saguna Meditation also includes reflection on divine qualities. Think of God as compassion, purity, strength, wisdom, forgiveness, protection, and love. When the mind repeatedly contemplates these qualities, it slowly begins to reflect them. The devotee becomes kinder, humbler, more patient, and more peaceful. True meditation must improve daily conduct.

Mantra is a powerful support in this path. A sacred name gives the mind a holy rhythm and protects it from useless thinking. Repeat the mantra mentally with faith and feeling. Let the sound become connected with the chosen form. When the mind wanders, bring it back gently to the mantra and the divine presence again and again.

Saguna Meditation does not require rejection of other paths. It can support Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Raja Yoga. Devotion purifies the heart, service reduces ego, knowledge gives right understanding, and concentration steadies the mind. A balanced seeker can use all these supports while keeping love for the Divine as the centre.

The main obstacles are restlessness, doubt, mechanical practice, and lack of purity. Sometimes the mind may feel dry or distracted. Sometimes the image may not remain clear. The seeker should not become discouraged. Continue with patience. Even a few minutes of sincere remembrance has great value when done daily with faith.

Purity of life is necessary for deeper practice. Harsh speech, dishonesty, jealousy, greed, indulgence, and selfishness disturb the mind. Truthfulness, kindness, self-control, forgiveness, good company, simple living, and selfless service make the heart fit for devotion. A pure heart feels divine presence more easily.

Saguna Meditation gradually leads the seeker from outer form to inner realization. In the beginning, the Divine may be felt as separate and worshipped with love. Later, the presence is felt within the heart. Finally, the seeker begins to understand that the same Divine light shines in all beings. Devotion then expands into universal love.

The fruit of this practice is peace, purity, humility, faith, and inner strength. The mind becomes less attracted to lower pleasures because it has tasted a higher sweetness. Fear becomes weaker because the devotee feels supported. Ego becomes softer because everything is offered to God. Life becomes meaningful because every action can become worship.

In the end, Saguna Meditation is a beautiful path for those who wish to approach the Divine through name, form, quality, prayer, and love. Through steady practice, mantra, visualization, devotion, purity, surrender, and good conduct, the seeker’s heart becomes calm and sacred. This loving meditation purifies the mind and leads the soul toward peace, grace, wisdom, and liberation.

Preliminary Meditation