Spirituality Studies 11-2 Fall 2025 51 Chanchal Surywanshi et al. 3.2.2 Effect of Trimūrti Dhyāna on Standard Rajas Score (SRS) Post-intervention analysis in the Dhyāna Group (DG) revealed a highly significant decrease in the mean ± SD of Standard Rajas Score (SRS), from 32.85 ± 2.89 to 28.72 ± 3.15 (p < 0.001). This reflects a 12.57% reduction in Rajas, indicating a shift away from restlessness, impulsivity, and overactivity, typically associated with Rajo Guṇa. The effect size was large (Cohen’s d = 1.36), suggesting a strong intervention effect (Table 2). In contrast, the Control Group (CG) showed a slight increase in SRS from 32.21 ± 3.27 to 33.40 ± 3.71; however, this change was not statistically significant (p = 0.076). The effect size was small (Cohen’s d = 0.34), with a 3.69% increase in Rajas characteristics (Table 3). Between-group comparison following the intervention demonstrated a highly significant difference between DG and CG (28.72 ± 3.15 vs 33.40 ± 3.71; p < 0.001). The percentage change and effect size were substantially more favorable in the Dhyāna Group, highlighting the efficacy of Trimūrti Dhyāna in reducing Rajo Guṇa-related psychological tendencies (Table 4). 3.2.3 Effect on Trimūrti Dhyāna on Standard Tamas Score (STS) Post-intervention analysis in the Dhyāna Group (DG) showed a highly significant decrease in the mean ± SD of Standard Tamas Score (STS), from 28.28 ± 5.70 to 25.03 ± 4.48 (p < 0.001). This corresponds to an 11.5% reduction in Tamas traits, reflecting improvements in clarity, motivation, and alertness among participants. The effect size was moderate (Cohen’s d = 0.63), indicating a meaningful change in Tamas-related psychological patterns (Table 2). In the Control Group (CG), STS decreased marginally from 28.14 ± 5.41 to 27.38 ± 4.73; however, this change was not statistically significant (p = 0.538). The effect size was small (Cohen’s d = 0.14), with a 2.7% decrease in Tamas (Table 3). Between-group comparison after the intervention showed a non-significant difference between DG and CG (25.03 ± 4.48 vs 27.38 ± 4.73; p = 0.174). Nevertheless, the direction and magnitude of change—both in terms of percentage and effect size – were more favourable in the Dhyāna Group, suggesting potential benefits of Trimūrti Dhyāna in reducing inertia, dullness, and tamasic tendencies (Table 4). 4 Discussion The current study contributes to the emerging body of scientific literature on Upaniṣadic meditation techniques by empirically testing the effects of Trimūrti Dhyāna, a visualization-based meditative practice rooted in Dhyānabindu Upaniṣad. Unlike prior theoretical works that explored the symbolic and philosophical dimensions of the Trimūrti – such as Bailey’s (2014, 1622) exposition of Śiva, Leeming’s (2020) discussion on Viṣṇu, Markel’s (2024, 43) cosmological analysis, and Deussen’s (2010) foundational work on Upaniṣadic thought – this study employed a randomized design and psychometrically validated instruments to assess both physiological (HRV) and psychological (triguṇa) outcomes. The results demonstrated a significant increase in Sattva and corresponding declines in Rajas and Tamas, indicating a shift toward greater psychological clarity, self-regulation, and equilibrium. These findings align with yogic texts which consider Sattva as the Guṇa of inner harmony and spiritual insight (Das 1991, 55; White 2012, 25). The meditative structure of Trimūrti Dhyāna – invoking Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva through mantra and visualization – likely contributes to this shift, as also described in classical sources (Flood 1996, 58–63; Grimes 1995, 11–12). The use of the Vedic Personality Inventory (VPI), which has well-established reliability and construct validity (Wolf 1999, 1379–1390), provided a robust framework to measure these changes. Previous studies, such as Dasa (1999), have also observed similar shifts in Guṇa profiles following mantra meditation, thereby reinforcing the psychological validity of these results. While several HRV indices such as RMSSD, SDRR, and HF Power showed positive trends, most changes were statistically non-significant. Notably, LF Power decreased significantly (p = 0.004), suggesting a reduction in sympathetic arousal and potential improvement in parasympathetic tone. These trends are consistent with studies that link meditation with enhanced vagal regulation and stress resilience (Lehrer and Gevirtz 2014, 756; Bin Waleed et al. 2022).
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