Trāṭaka (Sanskrit: त्राटक "look, gaze") is a yogic purification (a shatkarma) and a tantric method of meditation that involves staring at a single point such as a small object, symbol or yantra such as the Om symbol, black dot or candle flame.^[1][2][3]

Trāṭaka is named among the six cleansing techniques (ṣaṭkarma) in the classical yogic manual Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā — where it is defined as “gazing steadily at a small mark until tears flow,” and is said to eradicate eye diseases, fatigue, and sloth. ^[4] It is likewise described in the classical treatise Gheranda Saṃhitā, in which it is listed among the purification (ṣaṭkarma) practices and also recommended as a preparatory exercise for deeper meditation and concentration (dhāraṇā). ^[5] Across traditional Indian yoga lineages the technique has been used both as a śodhana (sensory/ocular purification) method and as a dhyāna-preparing concentrating practice. ^[6]

• The Bihar School of Yoga, in India has published several books on meditation that discuss trataka. Dharana Darshan by Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati has an entire chapter devoted to the practice.