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Dharana (Samskrit: धारणा) refers to one-pointed concentration<ref name=":0" /> and is the 6th step in the path of Ashtanga Yoga expounded by Maharshi Patanjali.

Dharana (Samskrit: धारणा) refers to one-pointed concentration<ref name=":0" /> and is the 6th step in the path of [[Ashtanga Yoga (अष्टाङ्गयोगः)|Ashtanga Yoga]] expounded by Maharshi Patanjali.

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

Dharana suggests fixing one's attention completely at one place, object or idea at a time. It is the ability to bring the mind into focus and hold the concentration on a single point. In true Dharana all body-consciousness and restless thoughts cease, enabling one to focus on the object without distraction.<ref name=":0" /> The Yoga Sutras define Dharana as, <blockquote>देशबन्धश्चित्तस्य धारणा ।। ३.१ ।।<ref>Yoga Sutras, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A9 Pada 3 (Vibhuti Pada)]</ref> deśabandhaścittasya dhāraṇā ।। 3.1 ।।</blockquote>Meaning: Dharana is holding the mind on to some particular object.  

Dharana suggests fixing one's attention completely at one place, object or idea at a time. It is the ability to bring the [[Manas (मनः)|mind]] into focus and hold the concentration on a single point. In true Dharana all body-consciousness and restless thoughts cease, enabling one to focus on the object without distraction.<ref name=":0" /> The Yoga Sutras define Dharana as, <blockquote>देशबन्धश्चित्तस्य धारणा ।। ३.१ ।।<ref>Yoga Sutras, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A9 Pada 3 (Vibhuti Pada)]</ref> deśabandhaścittasya dhāraṇā ।। 3.1 ।।</blockquote>Meaning: Dharana is holding the mind on to some particular object.  

Swami Vivekananda elaborates on this sutra and states that Dharana (concentration) is when the mind holds on to some object, either in the body, or outside the body, and keeps itself in that state.<ref>Swami Vivekananda, [http://www.hinduonline.co/DigitalLibrary/SmallBooks/PatanjaliYogaSutraSwamiVivekanandaSanEng.pdf Patanjali Yoga Sutras].</ref>

Swami Vivekananda elaborates on this sutra and states that Dharana (concentration) is when the mind holds on to some object, either in the body, or outside the body, and keeps itself in that state.<ref>Swami Vivekananda, [http://www.hinduonline.co/DigitalLibrary/SmallBooks/PatanjaliYogaSutraSwamiVivekanandaSanEng.pdf Patanjali Yoga Sutras].</ref>

== धारणायाः अभ्यासः ॥ Practice of Dharana ==

== धारणायाः अभ्यासः ॥ Practice of Dharana ==

The development of concentration follows the practice of asanas, pranayama ie. breathing practices and Pratyahara (control of the senses). The  steps in the practice of Dharana itself involves,

The development of concentration follows the practice of [[Asanas (आसनानि)|asanas]], [[Pranayama (प्राणायामः)|pranayama]] ie. breathing practices and [[Pratyahara (प्रत्याहारः)|Pratyahara]] (control of the [[Indriyas (इन्द्रियाणि)|senses]]). The  steps in the practice of Dharana itself involves,

* Sitting quietly in Padmasana with closed eyes and observing one's breath ie. the process of inhalation and exhalation.  

* Sitting quietly in Padmasana with closed eyes and observing one's breath ie. the process of inhalation and exhalation.  

== References ==

== References ==