Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 26
ध्यानप्रकारनिर्णयः / Determination of the Modes of Meditation
on Śrīkaṇṭha-Śiva
योगाभ्यासस्तथाल्पो ऽपि महापापं विनाशयेत् । ध्यायतः क्षणमात्रं वा श्रद्धया परमेश्वरम्
yogābhyāsastathālpo 'pi mahāpāpaṃ vināśayet | dhyāyataḥ kṣaṇamātraṃ vā śraddhayā parameśvaram
حتى مقدارٌ يسيرٌ من ممارسة اليوغا المنضبطة يُفني الخطيئة العظمى؛ وكذلك من تأمّل لحظةً واحدةً، بإيمانٍ، في باراميشڤارا (الربّ شيفا)، صار ذلك تطهيرًا يقطع ركام الإثم العظيم.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Highlights faith-filled momentary dhyāna as sufficient to begin purification—encouraging accessibility of Śiva-upāsanā beyond pilgrimage or elaborate rites.
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches that purification is not merely proportional to duration but to sincerity: even brief, faith-filled meditation on Śiva and even modest yoga-discipline can burn heavy pāpa and loosen the bonds (pāśa) that keep the soul (paśu) in saṃsāra.
Meditation ‘on Parameśvara’ can be practiced through saguna supports such as the Śiva-liṅga, Śiva’s form, or mantra; the verse affirms that even momentary, devoted contemplation of Śiva as the accessible Lord yields strong inner purification leading toward realization of the Supreme.
A simple takeaway is daily kṣaṇa-dhyāna: sit briefly with śraddhā, focus on Śiva (liṅga or form), and repeat a Śaiva mantra such as the Pañcākṣarī ‘Om Namaḥ Śivāya’—even a short practice, done sincerely, is said to remove great sin.