Shloka 1

Adhyaya 8: Yogasthanas, Ashtanga Yoga, Pranayama-Siddhi, and Shiva-Dhyana leading to Samadhi

Devanagari script

सूत उवाच संक्षेपतः प्रवक्ष्यामि योगस्थानानि साम्प्रतम् कल्पितानि शिवेनैव हिताय जगतां द्विजाः

Transliteration

sūta uvāca saṃkṣepataḥ pravakṣyāmi yogasthānāni sāmpratam kalpitāni śivenaiva hitāya jagatāṃ dvijāḥ

Translation

قال سوتا: «الآن سأصف بإيجاز مقامات اليوغا المقدّسة—تلك المقاعد التي أقامها شيفا بنفسه لخير العوالم، يا أيها الحكماء ذوو الولادتين».

Word by Word

• सूत उवाच: Sūta said

• संक्षेपतः: briefly, in summary

• प्रवक्ष्यामि: I shall explain, I shall proclaim

• योगस्थानानि: places/seats conducive to Yoga (yoga-abodes)

• साम्प्रतम्: now, at present

• कल्पितानि: arranged, ordained, established

• शिवेन एव: by Śiva alone/indeed by Śiva

• हिताय: for the benefit, for the good

• जगताम्: of the worlds, of all beings

• द्विजाः: O twice-born (Brāhmaṇa) sages

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It frames Śiva as the compassionate Pati who establishes sanctified yoga-sthānas for jagat-hita (world-welfare), implying that Linga-centered worship and contemplation are supported by specific sacred environments conducive to realization.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Śiva-tattva is presented as benevolent and world-sustaining: Śiva ordains spiritual means (yoga-sthānas) not for himself but to uplift bound souls (paśu) entangled in bondage (pāśa).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights the selection and sanctity of yoga-sthāna—proper sacred space as a prerequisite for Pāśupata-oriented practice such as japa, dhyāna, and Linga-upāsanā performed for liberation.