Gheraṇḍa classifies meditation into three types: Sthūla (gross/form), Jyotis (luminous/light), and Sūkṣma (subtle).

Sthūla dhyāna is meditation on a concrete form — deity, symbol, image. Jyotir dhyāna is meditation on inner light. Sūkṣma dhyāna is formless meditation, on the essence.

This progression reflects the yogi’s path: from external to internal, from concrete to abstract, from form to essence.