Padm
Puraan, 2/14 says - Kunjal said to his son Ujjwal - "Now I tell you
about how to meditate upon Vishnu. There are two ways to do that -
Niraakaar and Saakaar. Niraakaar can be meditated upon through Gyaan.
Only Yogee can see Him. He goes without feet, He sees without eyes, he
does everything without Indriyaan. He is independent and He is not under
anybody's control, still He is under His Bhakt's control. Nobody can
know Him completely. The other form is Saakaar. His Chatur-bhuj Roop is
a popular one to meditate upon. Whoever meditates Him in this way, he
gets free from all sins and goes to Vishnu Lok."
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Time is an important criterion for observation of meditation and such
spiritual practices. Generally early morning hours, late night hours,
sunrise time and sunset time are good for such activities. When a Bhogee
sleeps, a Yogee wakes up. Guru guides to perform Mantra Jap during late
night hours after 12:30 AM. There has been a great significance and some
hidden importance behind such time constraints. During night
most of the people are asleep. The air is free of vibes and different
energies. It is clearer and hence it becomes easier to meditate. There
are lesser distractions during such hours.
According to Shastras positive energies roam our earth during early
morning hours. While there can be a big debate on the truth of this
statement, one can definitely feel and sense harmony, calm and positive
energy in the morning air. This generally vanishes as Sun rises up.
Sunrise time and sunset time have special significance as well.
According to "*Swarodaya" our Sushmnaa is awake during such hours and
both Swar dominate during that time. In normal conditions only one
nostril disposes a Swar and the process is repeated with alternative
Swar during each hour. But during sunrise and sunset Sushmunaa awakes,
and it is strongly recommended that one should perform some spiritual
activity during such hours. It is the reason, why elderly people still
guide us not to sleep during early morning hours and during sunset time.
According to Swarodaya every work (except Dhyaan or meditation) pursued
during such hours, gets destroyed as darkness gets destroyed when the
Sun rises up. It is believed that meditation is easier during such
hours.
Besides these general implications, astrology also guides us to go for
only particular periods for Saadhanaa and meditation. The period of the
fifth house lord, Ketu and Sthir Lagna is used for initiation and
Saadhanaa. Vimshamsha chart can also be used for this purpose if the
time of birth is known. Mool Nakshatra which are considered very
inauspicious can also be used for meditation and Mantra Jap. Mool
signifies zero control, a Raashi's beginning or ending with the sign
indicates a blank area. It is almost like a turn on the road. Empty but
powerful. One needs to channel that energy to gain some peace.
Mediation requires that 5th house, Sun and Moon should be devoid of any
blemishes and a fixed or Sthir sign should be rising in the Ascendant.
The Dashaa lord should be finely placed and could have an
association with 4th, 8th or 12th house lord. A person performing the
ritual should look for condition of Nakshatra and Muhoort for
initiation. His Aatmaa Kaarak should not be debilitated or combust in
transit and should be strong. This rule should be applied to Aatmatya
Kaarak as well. Mantra should be denailed and should be matched with his
name to see whether it is beneficial or not. Jupiter should be
influencing the Ascendant, the 5th house Lord or the 12th House or its
lord in transit. The placement of Ketu in the 12th is also good provided
it as some influence from some benefic like Jupiter or Mercury. All
these conditions should be applied before performing some Saadhanaa.
A person with afflicted 5th House or its lord and 2nd House should be
very careful and should not recite Mantras on his own. Debilitated
Jupiter, Raahu Dashaa should also be checked before recitation of a
mantra. Mantras can fructify when a fixed sign rising in transit has its
exaltation sign in D-9's Ascendant. It can be awakened when Mantra Pad
carries beautiful transits and when Aatm Kaarak is exalted in transits.
*Swarodaya: A Shastra related to science of breathing.