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228
Tattvarth Sutra
[9. 39-46: The four types of Shukla Dhyana are: Prthaktva Vitarak, Ekatva Vitarak, Sukshma Kriya Pratipatti, and Vyuparata Kriya Nivritti.
Shukla Dhyana occurs in sequence with three yogis, one yogi, the body yogi, and the yogi without practice.
The first two are associated with mutual dependence and are of the type Savitaraka. The first of these is Savichara, and the second is Avichara! Vitaraka means scripture; Vichara means meaning, expression, and the transition to yoga.
Here, three aspects related to Shukla Dhyana are described: the Swami (master), differentiation, and nature.
The description of the Swami here is given in two ways—first from the perspective of Gunasthana (species of soul) and second from the perspective of yoga.
From the perspective of Gunasthana, the first two types of Shukla Dhyana have their Swami in the eleventh and twelfth Gunasthanas, who are also Prathadhara (those who hold the truth). By the epithet 'Prathadhara', it is generally meant that one who is not Prathadhara but holds the eleven limbs will have Dharmadhyana instead of Shukla Dhyana in the eleventh or twelfth Gunasthana. An exception to this general rule is that among souls like Mashatusha, Marudevi, etc., who are not Prathadhara, Shukla Dhyana is still possible. The Swamis of the remaining two types of Shukla Dhyana are only the Kevalis, that is, those in the thirteenth and fourteenth Gunasthanas.
From the perspective of yoga, only the three yogis are the Swami of the first Shukla Dhyana among the four. Any one of the three—mind, speech, or body—is the Swami of the second type of Shukla Dhyana. The Swami of the third type of this meditation is only the body yogi, and the Swami of the fourth type is the sole A-yogi.
Aspects of Shukla Dhyana, like other meditations, have four divisions, which are also referred to as its four pillars. Their names are as follows: 1. Prthaktva Vitaraka Savichara, 2. Ekatva Vitaraka Nivichara, 3. Sukshma Kriya Pratipatti, 4. Vyuparata Kriya Nivritti (Samuchchhinn Kriya Nivritti).
The first two Shukla Dhyanas have a common basis, meaning their commencement occurs through the soul possessing prior knowledge. Therefore, both these meditations are of the Vitaraka-Shrutajñana type.