Shloka 12
Kapila Describes Bhakti-Saturated Aṣṭāṅga-Yoga and Meditation on the Lord’s Form
यदा मन: स्वं विरजं योगेन सुसमाहितम् । काष्ठां भगवतो ध्यायेत्स्वनासाग्रावलोकन: ॥ १२ ॥
yadā manaḥ svaṁ virajaṁ yogena susamāhitam kāṣṭhāṁ bhagavato dhyāyet sva-nāsāgrāvalokanaḥ
Khi tâm được yoga thanh lọc hoàn toàn và an trú vững vàng, hãy khép hờ mắt, nhìn nơi chóp mũi và quán niệm hình tướng của Bhagavān.
It is clearly mentioned here that one has to meditate upon the expansion of Viṣṇu. The word kaṣṭhām refers to Paramātmā, the expansion of the expansion of Viṣṇu. Bhagavataḥ refers to Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Supreme Godhead is Kṛṣṇa; from Him comes the first expansion, Baladeva, and from Baladeva come Saṅkarṣaṇa, Aniruddha and many other forms, followed by the puruṣa-avatāras. As mentioned in the previous verses ( puruṣārcanam ), this puruṣa is represented as the Paramātmā, or Supersoul. A description of the Supersoul, upon whom one must meditate, will be given in the following verses. In this verse it is clearly stated that one must meditate by fixing the vision on the tip of the nose and concentrating one’s mind on the kalā, or the plenary expansion, of Viṣṇu.
FAQs
This verse teaches that when the mind becomes purified and steady through yoga, one should meditate on the Supreme Lord’s ultimate goal, using practical focus—such as fixing the gaze at the tip of the nose—to stabilize attention.
Kapiladeva is instructing His mother Devahūti on a step-by-step path of inner discipline—steadying the mind through yoga so that meditation becomes centered on Bhagavān, culminating in devotionally aligned realization.
Begin by reducing agitation (distraction and passion), practice a steady daily meditation routine, and use a simple point of focus to collect the mind—then direct that steadiness toward remembrance of the Supreme Lord through prayer, mantra, or contemplation of His form and qualities.