Dr. Aniruddh Subhedar As part of Ashtang Yoga, meditation complements other forms to deliver sustainable universal health and wellbeing of humanity. United Nations unanimously declared December 21 as World Meditation Day. The resolution, introduced by Liechtenstein, was co-sponsored by Bharat among other nations like Bulgaria, Burundi, Dominican Republic, Iceland, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Mongolia, Portugal, Slovenia, etc. In his post on X (formerly Twitter), India’s Permanent Representative to United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish stated, “India had taken the lead in declaration of 21 June, which marks Summer Solstice, as International Day of Yoga by the UN in 2014. In a decade, it has become a global movement which has led to common people across the globe practising yoga and making it part of their daily lives.” Indeed, as UN declaration acknowledged “the link between yoga and meditation as complementary approaches to health and well-being”. Meditation, indeed, has its roots in the ancient Indian philosophy of Yoga. The writer of Yoga-Sutras– one of the most authoritative ancient texts on Yoga- Pantanjali introduced us to Ashtang Yoga (eight limbs of Yoga) with dhyana (meditation) as its seventh step. In Bharatiya tradition the Winter Solstice or “Uttarayan” is one of the most auspicious times of the year. As recounted in the Mahabharata, the great Bhishma chose to leave his body on this very day. Declaring the Winter Solstice as World Meditation Day is therefore deeply symbolic and fitting. What is dhyana? Sanskrit word dhyana comes from the root word ‘dhi’ which means to contemplate or ponder over. Dhyana can be understood as focused attention. Its roots can be traced to the concept of the four types of speech found in the Upanishads—Vaikhari, Madhyama, Pashyanti, and Para. The latter two are not outward expressions of speech but inner, soulful processes. In the Sankhya philosophy (one of the six Vaidik schools), Dhyana is described as: “ध्यानं निर्विशयं मन‌:”- Dhyana is the state where the mind is free from troublesome desires and thoughts. Patanjali defines it as: “तत्र प्रत्यैकतानता ध्यानं”- constant and unbroken contemplation. The centrality of Dhyana in Bharatiya spirituality is evident from its presence in even non-Vedic traditions like Jainism and Buddhism. It is no coincidence that sculptures and paintings of ancient masters and sages from these traditions commonly depict them in the Dhyana Mudra—the posture of meditation. Buddhist meditational practices like Shamatha and Vipashyana and Jain practices like Preksha are still prevalent today. From India, the practice of Dhyana spread to China as “Chán” and later to Japan as “Zen.” While the pronunciation evolved, the essence remained unchanged. Modern Science and Dhyana: Dhyana exists at the intersection of science and spirituality. With the growing global influence of Yoga, modern science has turned its attention to meditation. Notable studies such as “Mindfulness Meditation and Brain Structure” (Hölzel et al., 2011) and “Effects of Meditation on Stress” (Creswell et al., 2014) demonstrate that meditation has a clear and measurable positive impact on mental and physical well-being. In today’s fast-paced world, where stress and anxiety have become inseparable from modern lifestyles, Yoga and Dhyana are receiving rightful global recognition. World Health Organisation (WHO), in its self-help tools for anxiety management, encourages individuals to: “develop the habit of mindfulness meditation, even if it’s just a few minutes per day.” Practices like meditation offer a profound tool to relieve individuals from stress, enabling a calmer and more balanced state of mind. By cultivating mindfulness and focused attention, meditation reduces anxiety, improves emotional regulation, and creates compassion—towards oneself and others. As more individuals embrace these practices, the ripple effect can create a world where people are less reactive, more understanding, and empathetic. This shared mental peace can transcend boundaries, helping build a harmonious global family united by values of inner well-being, mutual respect, and collective happiness. Meditation over Military Might: The human desire to conquer the world is as old as civilization itself. Bharat, being one of the oldest civilizations, has witnessed its share of conquerors and dictators. Yet, Bharat was among the few that transcended this mirage. It is no coincidence that every ancient tradition of Bharat—Vaidik, Buddhist, or Jain—regardless of their internal differences, emphasized Dhyana. In fact, in Jainism and Buddhism, meditation occupies an even more central position. Moreover, the founders of these traditions, like Mahavir and Gautama Buddha, hailed from the Kshatriya (warrior) class. Having understood the futility of worldly conquest, they turned inward and realized that true victory lies in mastering the self—conquering one’s Indriyas (senses and desires). Such a person is called Jitendriya, and only the truly brave (Mahavir) can achieve it. Gautama Buddha, born in the Shakya tribe, mastered the science of meditation and spread it across the world. He was fittingly called Shakya-Simha—the Lion of the Shakyas. Bharat’s outlook toward the external world has always been shaped by its profound understanding of the human mind and soul. The Indian adage “Yat Pinde Tat Brahmande” (As is the body, so is the Universe) underscores this philosophy, encouraging introspection as a path to understanding the greater cosmos. Bharat’s traditions endured because its people were already pursuing the ultimate victory—mastery over their own senses (Indriyas) Meditation and Yoga, deeply rooted in India’s ancient traditions, have the potential to serve as powerful instruments of soft power on the global stage. Unlike hard power, which relies on military or economic might, soft power influences through culture, philosophy, and values. The universal appeal of Yoga and meditation as tools for holistic well-being resonates with people across nations, cultures, and ideologies. India’s leadership in initiatives like the International Day of Yoga and now World Meditation Day showcases its ability to offer solutions to modern challenges. These practices not only promote physical and mental health but also inspire inner peace, empathy, and collective mindfulness—values the world deeply needs. By promoting meditation and Yoga, India positions itself as a cultural and spiritual guide, strengthening its image as a nation that leads through wisdom, healing, and universal well-being. A Global Alternative This is not to suggest that the world will suddenly become a utopia