Dhyanashloka

(“meditation verse”) A verse or verses
specifying the physical attributes of a
deity to give the worshiper a mental
image upon which to meditate.
Dhyanashlokas are particularly important in the esoteric ritual tradition
known as tantra, in which one of the
aims is to replace all outward acts of
worship with mental activities. In
this highly ritualized context, the
dhyanashlokas provide both a form and
a focus for one’s interior worship.