Shloka 29

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

Devanagari script

यमाः संक्षेपतः प्रोक्ता नियमांश् च वदामि वः शौचमिज्या तपो दानं स्वाध्यायोपस्थनिग्रहः

Transliteration

yamāḥ saṃkṣepataḥ proktā niyamāṃś ca vadāmi vaḥ śaucamijyā tapo dānaṃ svādhyāyopasthanigrahaḥ

Translation

قد ذُكرت اليَما (yama) بإيجاز؛ والآن أقول لكم النِيَما (niyama): الطهارة (śauca)، والعبادة/التقرب (ijyā)، والتقشف (tapas)، والصدقة (dāna)، والدراسة الذاتية وتلاوة النص (svādhyāya)، وكبح الدافع التناسلي (upastha-nigraha).

Word by Word

• यमाः (yamāḥ): ethical restraints

• संक्षेपतः (saṃkṣepataḥ): briefly, in summary

• प्रोक्ता (proktā): have been declared

• नियमांश् (niyamān): disciplines/observances

• च (ca): and

• वदामि (vadāmi): I speak, I will explain

• वः (vaḥ): to you (plural)

• शौचम् (śaucam): purity/cleanliness

• इज्या (ijyā): worship, sacrificial adoration (pujā)

• तपः (tapaḥ/tapo): austerity, disciplined heat

• दानम् (dānam): charity, gifting

• स्वाध्याय (svādhyāya): recitation/study of sacred teaching

• उपस्थनिग्रहः (upastha-nigrahaḥ): restraint of sexual urge/continence

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana’s teaching to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-puja as inseparable from inner purification: śauca (purity), ijyā (worship), tapa (austerity), dāna (charity), svādhyāya (scriptural recitation), and brahmacarya-like restraint prepare the pashu (individual soul) to approach the Pati (Shiva) through the Linga with steadiness and reverence.

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

Shiva is implied as Pati—the Lord who is approached through disciplined observances. The verse indicates that realization of Shiva-tattva is supported by ethical-yogic order that reduces pasha (bondage) and makes the soul fit for grace (anugraha).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Niyamas central to Shaiva sadhana are highlighted—especially ijyā (regular worship/puja) and upastha-nigraha (sense-restraint/continence), which stabilize mind and prana for Pashupata-oriented practice alongside tapas, charity, and svādhyāya.