Shiva Dhyana Mantra

Shiva Dhyana Mantra

 Gogarbha Shiva Cave

The "Karacharana Krtam Vaa" shloka is a prayer of repentance and surrender to Lord Shiva. It is traditionally recited at the end of Shiva worship or meditation to seek forgiveness for any known or unknown mistakes. 

Shri Mahabaleshwar Atmalinga, Gokarna 

|| Karacharana Kritam Vaa Kaayajam Karmajam Vaa

 Shravana Nayanjam Vaa Maanasam Vaaparadham

Vihitam Avihitam Vaa Sarva Me Tat Kshamasva

Jaya Jaya Karunaabdhe Shree Mahadeva Shambho ||

करचरण कृतं वाऽकायजं कर्मजं वा
श्रवणनयनजं वा मानसं वाऽपराधम्।
विहितमविहितं वा सर्वमेतत्क्षमस्व
जय जय करुणाब्धे श्रीमहादेव शम्भो॥ 

 Atmalinga

 

Atmalinga 

Meaning:

“O compassionate ocean of mercy, Mahadeva Shambhu!

Whatever sins I have committed — 

through my hands and feet, body and actions, ears and eyes, or mind — 

knowingly or unknowingly, rightfully or wrongfully — please forgive them all.

Victory to You, O Lord of compassion!” 

 

Mahadev Khola Dham, Shillong, Meghalaya 

I seek your blessings, Lord Shiva, 

May I be forgiven for the sins of my hands, feet, speech, actions, ears, eyes, or mind.

May my body, mind, and spirit be cleansed, 

O merciful Lord Shiva.

 

Shri Murdeshwar Atmalinga, Karnataka 

 

For a more thorough explanation of the mantra, look below:

Karacharana Kritam Vaa : Whatever Sins have been Committed by Actions Performed by my Hands and Feet

Kaayajam Karmajam Vaa : Produced by my Speech and Body, Or my Works

Shravana Nayanjam Vaa : Produced by my Ears and Eyes

Maanasam Vaaparadham : Sins Committed by my Mind

Vihitam Avihitam Vaa : While performing actions that are Prescribed (i.e. duties prescribed by tradition or allotted duties in one's station of life), as well as all other actions that are not explicitly prescribed (i.e. actions done by self-judgment, by mere habit, without much thinking, unknowingly etc.)

Sarva Me Tat Kshamasva : Please Forgive Them All

Jaya Jaya Karunaabdhe : Victory, Victory to You Ocean of Compassion.

Shree Mahadeva Shambho : O Sri Mahadeva Shambho

 

 

Surathkal Atmalinga, Karnataka 

 

A heartfelt surrender seeking total forgiveness for all conscious and unconscious wrongs, placing complete trust in Lord Shiva's boundless compassion. 

Samadhi (Total Absorption)

 Samadhi (Total Absorption) – Merging with the Infinite

There are two main types of Samadhi:
A. Savikalpa Samadhi (With Form & Duality)
    Awareness remains, but the ego is still present.
    One experiences bliss, divine visions, or a deep sense of unity.
    This is an entry-level Samadhi, where effort is still required.

B. Nirvikalpa Samadhi (Beyond Mind & Form)
    The mind completely dissolves into the Infinite.
    No thoughts, no sense of self—only pure consciousness.
    This is permanent liberation (Moksha) if maintained.
 

Jivan Mukti (Liberation while alive): The realized being lives in the world but is untouched by it.
 

Videha Mukti (Liberation after death): The final dissolution into Brahman, no rebirth.
The liberated one is free from karma, desires, and suffering.
 

So-Hum is a powerful and natural mantra that means "I am That" , referring to the universal consciousness. It is linked with the breath and helps in achieving deep meditation, inner stillness, and eventually Savikalpa Samadhi.

Synchronize the Mantra with Breath
    As you inhale, mentally hear or say “So” (pronounced as "Sohhh").
    As you exhale, mentally hear or say “Hum” (pronounced as "Hummm").
    Do not force the breath—let it remain natural and effortless.

 

 

Pratyahara (Sense Withdrawal)

Pratyahara  (Sense Withdrawal) is the fifth limb of Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga, acting as a bridge between external practices (asana, pranayama) and internal practices (dharana, dhyana, samadhi). It involves withdrawing the senses from external distractions and turning awareness inward.

1. Create a Conducive Environment
    Find a quiet and distraction-free space.
    Sit in a comfortable meditative posture (Sukhasana, Padmasana, or Vajrasana).
    Keep your spine straight and hands in Gyana Mudra (thumb and index finger touching).

2. Focus on the Breath (Initial Preparation)
    Close your eyes and breathe deeply.
    Use slow, rhythmic breathing (4-4-6 pattern: inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4, exhale for 6).
    Let the breath anchor your attention inward.

3. Detach from the Senses One by One

    A. Sight (Chakshu Pratyahara) – Withdrawing from Visual Stimuli
    Close your eyes gently.
    Visualize darkness or an internal light (like a candle flame or the third-eye point).
    Imagine the outer world fading away.

    B. Hearing (Shabda Pratyahara) – Withdrawing from Sounds
    Focus on the sound of your breath instead of external noises.
    If external sounds distract you, mentally repeat OM or another mantra.
    Try Bhramari Pranayama (humming bee breath) to tune inward.

    C. Smell (Gandha Pratyahara) – Withdrawing from Scents
    Take a deep breath and become aware of the surrounding scents.
    Shift your focus to the sensation of breath entering and exiting your nostrils.
    If needed, use a neutral or calming scent (like sandalwood or lavender) to center your mind.

    D. Taste (Rasa Pratyahara) – Withdrawing from the Tongue
    Keep your tongue relaxed, slightly touching the roof of your mouth.
    Avoid craving food or recalling flavors.
    Imagine your tongue becoming neutral, with no desire for taste.

    E. Touch (Sparsha Pratyahara) – Withdrawing from Physical Sensations
    Bring awareness to your body, then mentally detach from it.
    Feel lightness as if you are floating.
    If discomfort arises, observe without reacting—let it dissolve.