Drishti (yoga)

Parshva Drishti in Pashasana by Caroline Klebl

Drishti (IPA: [ d̪r̩ʂʈi ]; Sanskrit: दृष्टि; IAST:dṛṣṭi), or focused gaze, is a means for developing concentrated intention. It relates to the fifth limb of yoga (pratyahara) concerning sense withdrawal,^[1] as well as the sixth limb dharana relating to concentration.^[2]

Description

Each yoga āsana is associated with a particular dṛṣṭi.^[3] There are nine dṛṣṭis (when you count both Pārśva Dṛṣṭi's, left and right sides, as one).:^[4][3]

Angusthamadhye

For Aṅguṣṭhamadhye dṛṣṭi (IPA: [ əɳɡuʂʈʰəməd̪ʰjeː ]; Sanskrit: अङ्गूष्ठमध्ये ; meaning "to the middle of the thumb"^{[5][6][madhye]} the practitioner looks to the thumb.

Examples of asanas which employ Aṅguṣṭhamadhyai as their dṛṣṭi can be found in the Sūrya Namaskāra vinyasas; Ūrdhva Vṛkṣāsana, Utkaṭāsana, and Vīrabhadrāsana I use Aṅguṣṭhamadhye as their dṛṣṭi.^[7]

Bhrumadhye

The Bhrūmadhye dṛṣṭi (IPA: [ bʰruːməd̪ʰjeː ]; Sanskrit: भ्रूमध्ये; meaning "to the middle of the eyebrows/brow"^{[8][6][madhye]}) has the gaze set at the "third eye", which is right between the eyebrows. In order to do this, the eyes are closed half way. This purportedly stimulates the olfactory and optic nerves, consequently awakening the autonomic and central nervous systems. It sooths the cranial nerves and aids concentration, and helps awaken kundalini. It is advised that caution be taken as prolonged or incorrect practice may cause problems for the eye muscles or nervous system. Initial practice is often done for only minutes at a time, but is gradually increased to up to ten minute intervals. ^[9]

An example of a vinyasa which includes the Bhrūmadhye dṛṣṭi in its practice is Sūrya Namaskāraˌ wherein the Bhrūmadhye dṛṣṭi is used on the inhale following Uttānāsana, during Ūrdhva Mukha Śvānāsana, and again on the inhale following Adho Mukha Svānāsana (before the final Uttānāsana in the vinyasa).^[7][10][11]

Nasagre

The Nāsāgre dṛṣṭi (IPA: [ nɑːsɑːɡreː ]; Sanskrit: नासाग्रे; meaning "to the tip of the nose"^{[12][-gra][e Loc.]}) has the eyes fixed on the tip of the nose. Purportedly strengthens the eye muscles. ^[13]

In Sūrya Namaskāra, Samasthitiḥ,^[14] Uttānāsana and Caturāṅga Daṇḍāsana all employ the Nāsāgra dṛṣṭi, as does the transition from Vīrabhadrāsana A to Ūrdhva Mukha Śvānāsana. .^[7][11][15] These are only some of the asanas and vinyasas in which this dṛṣṭi is used.

Hastagrahe

The Hastagrahe dṛṣṭi (IPA: [ ɦəstəɡrəɦeː ]; Sanskrit: हसतग्रहे; generally meaning "the taking of the hand" or "the putting of the hand to", or (in the context of dṛṣṭi) "to the tips of the hand"^{[16][-gra][Loc. e]}) involves looking at the (usually extended) tips or palm^[17] of the hand.

Utthita Trikonasana, and its twisted partner Parivrta Trikonasana are two examples of asanas which use Hastagraha dṛṣṭi.^[18][19]

Parshva

Pārśva dṛṣṭi (IPA: [ pɑːrʃʋə ];Sanskrit: पार्श्व; meaning "the side"^[20]) involves looking to the left or right side.

The asanas Utthita Pārśvasahita,^[21] Marīcyāsana C,^[22] and Marīcyāsana D^[23] all entail Pārśva dṛṣṭi.

Urdhva

Ūrdhva dṛṣṭi (IPA: [ uːrd̪ʰʋə ]; Sanskrit: ऊर्घ्व; meaning "above" or "rising"^[24]) has the eyes pointing upwards, to the sky.

Some asanas which use Ūrdhva dṛṣṭi are Upaviṣṭha Koṇāsana B^[25][26] and Ubhaya Pādānguṣṭhāsana.^[27][28]

Nābhicakre

The navel is the center of focus for the Nābhicakre dṛṣṭi (IPA: [ nɑːbʰit͡ʃəkreː ]; Sanskrit: नाभिचक्रे; meaning "on the navel" or literally "on the central circle"; the first part of this compound word is "Nābhi" meaning "naval" "center" or "origin", the second part "cakra" which has come into use in English as chakra means "wheel" or "circle".^{[29][-e Loc.]}).

Adho-Mukha-Śvānāsana is an asana that uses the Nābhicakra dṛṣṭi.^[30]

Padayoragre

Pādayoragre dṛṣṭi (IPA: [ pɑːd̪əjoːrəɡre ]; Sanskrit: पाडयोरग्रे; meaning "to the tips of the feet"^{[-gra][-e Loc.][pāda][-ayo: n./m. Dual Loc.]}) is gazing to the toes.

A host of asanas from the Paścimottānāsana^[31][32] sequence and Jānu Śīrṣāsana^[33][34] sequence all employ the Pādayoragre dṛṣṭi.

Theory

The sixth limb of yoga dharana (concentration), includes maintaining dṛṣṭi during yoga practice in order to ensure dhyana meditation will occur.^[2]

Variation Between Styles

There may be differences between different styles regarding how dṛṣṭi is practiced and which are used for specific asanas. Dṛṣṭi is a primary part of Ashtanga Yoga,^[1] Hatha Yoga, and Raja Yoga traditions.^[35]

Notes

• gra means "tip(s) of", as in pādāgra (Sanskrit: पादा * ग्र: "tips of the toes"^[36]).^{^Nasagre} '^{^Hastagrahe} '^{^Padayoragre}
• The Sanskrit word madhye is marked indeclensible,^[6] so the Locative Case ("to") is applicable here.^{^Angusthamadhye} '^{^Brumadhye}
• The Locative Case (here "to") for Singular nouns ending in Masculine vowels (a/अ) become e/ए (a/अ blends with i/इ).^{[37]^Nasagre} '^{^Hastagrahe} '^{^Nabhicakre} '^{^Padayorage}
• See pāda Sanskrit: पाद) meaninɡ "foot".^{[36]^Padayorage}
• The Locative Case (here "to") for Dual nouns ending in Masculine vowels (a/अ) is ayo:/अयोः.^{[38]^Padayorage}

References

1. Maehle & 2011 250.
2. Maehle & 2011 559.
3. Maehle & 2011 552.
4. Steiner 2012, p. Legend for the Vinyāsa table (bottom).
5. Monier-Williams 1964, p. 8.
6. Monier-Williams 1964, p. 782.
7. Steiner 2012, p. Surya Namaskara B.
8. Monier-Williams 1964, p. 770.
9. Devananda 2011, p. 31.
10. Maehle 2011, p. 878-1224.
11. Jois 2010, p. 1471-1472.
12. Monier-Williams 1964, p. 538.
13. Devananda 2011, p. 32.
14. Maehle 2011, p. 785.
15. Maehle 2011, p. 785-1224.
16. Monier-Williams 1964, p. 1294.
17. Maehle 2011, p. 1474.
18. Maehle 2011, p. 1283.
19. Maehle 2011, p. 1368.
20. Monier-Williams 1964, p. 622.
21. Steiner 2012, p. Utthita Parshvasahita.
22. Maehle 2011, p. 2661.
23. Maehle 2011, p. 2633.
24. Monier-Williams 1964, p. 222.
25. Steiner 2012, p. Upavishta Konasana B.
26. Maehle 2011, p. 3074.
27. Steiner 2012, p. Ubhaya Padangustasana.
28. Maehle 2011, p. 3232.
29. Monier-Williams 1964, p. 535.
30. Steiner 2012, p. Adho Mukha Shvasana.
31. Maehle & 2011 1984.
32. Steiner 2012, p. Pashimotanasna A.
33. Maehle & 2011 2412.
34. Steiner 2012, p. Janu Shirshanasa A.
35. Devananda 2011, p. 29.
36. Monier-Williams 1964, p. 617.
37. Whitney 1889, p. 132.
38. Kale 1961, p. 49.

Sources

• Maehle, Gregor (2011). Ashtanga Yoga Practice and Philosophy. Kindle Edition. New World Library. ISBN 978-1-57731-606-0.
• Devananda, Vishnu Swami (2011). The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga. Kindle Edition. Random House, Inc. ISBN 978-0-51788-431-7.
• Monier-Williams, Monier (1964). A Sanskrit-English Dictionary: Etymologically and Philologically Arranged with special reference to cognate Indo-European languages. Digitized and Searchable. Oxford University Press (Print) and University of Cologne (Digitized). ISBN 978-8-12150-200-9.
• Steiner, Dr. med. Ronald P. (2012). "AshatangaYoga.info". Retrieved 2012-05-12.
• Jois, Sri K. Pattabhi (2010). Yoga Mala: The Seminal Treatise and Guide from the Living Master of Ashtanga Yoga. Kindle Edition. Macmillan. ISBN 978-0-86547-751-3.
• Whitney, William Dwight (1889). Sanskrit Grammar. Harvard University Press.
• Kale, Moreshwar Ramchandra (1961). A Higher Sanskrit Grammar for the use of schools and colleges. Sundar Lal Jain.