Patanjali Yoga Sutra — Viṣayavatī vā pravṛttirutpannā manasaḥ sthitinibandhinī||1.35||
विषयवती वा प्रवृत्तिरुत्पन्ना मनसः स्थितिनिबन्धिनी ||
It is also possible to attain mastery over the mind by sheer sādhana of contemplation on an object.
This is the second method advocated by Patañjali Maharṣi to still and tranquilize the mind. By intense contemplation or concentration on an object, sādhaka, besides getting mastery over his mind, can unravel the causal secrets of objects (or forces) in the universe. Mastery over the forces within leads to mastery over the forces without. That means mastery over the mind is nothing but mastery over the entire universe. Our Yogis and the ṛṣis had total control over nature inside and thus they were able to control nature outside. If they wish, they could bring rain. Just by a wish, they could stop raining. The mere wish was sufficient to influence a phenomenon in the universe!! Their penetration into was so powerful. Thus, here, Patañjali Maharṣi describes the power one gets through contemplation.
But the object one chooses to contemplate upon is also very important. Mohini is also an incarnation of Lord viṣṇu. But instead of contemplating on any of the Daśāvatāras of Mahā viṣṇu, if one contemplates on the form of Mohini, there is always a danger of going hither and thither in one’s own sādhana!
Meditation is said to be a grand exploration of a peaceful and indrawn mind. Perhaps in the whole of prasthānatriyas, (Upaniṣads, brahmasūtras and bhagavad Gītā) bhagavad Gītā is the only yogagrantha where the art of meditation is so elaborately and meticulously described, right from the art of sitting, to method of practice. Bhagavān describes the method of contemplation:
योगी युञ्जीत सततमात्मानं रहसि स्थितः।
एकाकी यतचित्तात्मा निराशीरपरिग्रहः॥गीता ६.१०॥
yogī yuñjīta satatamātmānaṁ rahasi sthitaḥ।
ekākī yatacittātmā nirāśīraparigrahaḥ ॥Gītā 6.10॥
Having subdued the mind and senses, sādhaka, being desire-less (nirāśīḥ) and belonging-less (aparigrahaḥ), should retire to a solitary place and persistently practice contemplation for being one with Paramātma — the Supreme soul.
युञ्जन्नेवं सदात्मानं योगी नियतमानसः।
शान्तिं निर्वाणपरमां मत्संस्थामधिगच्छति॥गीता ६.१५॥
yuñjannevaṃ sadātmānaṃ yogī niyatamānasaḥ।
śāntiṃ nirvāṇaparamāṃ matsaṃsthāmadhigacchati॥Gītā 6.15॥
Having gathered the scattered mind from its outward tendency, when the sādhaka yogi practices supreme spiritual absorption with Paramātma, he arrives at the summit of profound, insightful quietude and this state is nothing but unblemished spiritual union (of the individual soul with universal soul — Brahman).
Thus benefits are not restricted to just quietude or mastery over the mind, contemplation is the only effective means to achieve Mokṣa, complete liberation from all bondages, according to Rājayoga.
