Shloka 102

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

Devanagari script

दिव्ये च शाश्वतस्थाने शिवध्यानं समभ्यसेत् निर्मलं निष्कलं ब्रह्म सुशान्तं ज्ञानरूपिणम्

Transliteration

divye ca śāśvatasthāne śivadhyānaṃ samabhyaset nirmalaṃ niṣkalaṃ brahma suśāntaṃ jñānarūpiṇam

Translation

في موضعٍ مقدّسٍ إلهيٍّ أبديّ، ينبغي للمرء أن يواظب على التأمّل في شيفا—في ذلك البرهمن الطاهر الذي لا دنس فيه، غير المتجزّئ (نيشكالا)، بالغ السكينة، وجوهره وعيٌ محض (جْنَانا).

Word by Word

• दिव्ये: in a divine (sacred) [place]

• च: and

• शाश्वत-स्थाने: in an eternal/everlasting place (abode/sanctuary)

• शिव-ध्यानम्: meditation on Śiva

• समभ्यसेत्: should practice assiduously

• निर्मलम्: stainless, pure

• निष्कलम्: without parts/without limiting adjuncts (nirguṇa)

• ब्रह्म: Brahman, the Supreme Reality

• सुशान्तम्: perfectly peaceful, utterly tranquil

• ज्ञान-रूपिणम्: whose form/nature is knowledge, consciousness itself

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the teaching within the Linga Purana tradition)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahman

FAQs

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

It shifts worship from mere external rite to inner upāsanā: the devotee is instructed to meditate on Śiva as the pure, attribute-transcending Reality—making Liṅga-pūjā complete through dhyāna (inner realization) alongside outer reverence.

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

Śiva is presented as Pati in His highest aspect: nirmala (untainted by mālā), niṣkala (beyond limiting kalās/guṇas), suśānta (absolutely quiescent), and jñānarūpa (consciousness itself)—the liberating Brahman known through direct contemplation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Śiva-dhyāna in a sacred, steady place—aligned with Pāśupata-oriented discipline: concentration on the nirguṇa Pati that loosens pāśa (bondage) and elevates the paśu (individual soul) toward mokṣa.