Vitakka (pāli) , both in hinduist yoga and buddhist meditation , means the action of taking care of any object : God, one's body, the Self, a color, any sensation..

It refers to attention in a different way than cognitive neuroscience, implying a very strong leading of attention, as it leads to more mental process : vicara, piti, sukkha and ekkagata.

Vitakka is the first element to appear in meditation's process, still present in the first Jhana, but absent of any further Jhana.