Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 4
ध्यानप्रकारनिर्णयः / Determination of the Modes of Meditation
on Śrīkaṇṭha-Śiva
लक्षयेन्मनसः स्थैर्यं तत्तद्ध्यायेत्पुनः पुनः । ध्यानमादौ सविषयं ततो निर्विषयं जगुः
lakṣayenmanasaḥ sthairyaṃ tattaddhyāyetpunaḥ punaḥ | dhyānamādau saviṣayaṃ tato nirviṣayaṃ jaguḥ
ينبغي أن يلاحظ المرء ثبات الذهن، وأن يتأمل في ذلك الموضع بعينه مرارًا وتكرارًا. وقد قالوا إن التأمل في البدء يكون ذا موضوع (saviṣaya)، ثم يصير بلا موضوع (nirviṣaya).
Suta Goswami (continuing the Vāyavīyasaṃhitā discourse to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
FAQs
It outlines a classical Shaiva yogic progression: first stabilize the mind through repeated contemplation with a support, and then mature into nirviṣaya (supportless) contemplation that tends toward liberation (moksha) under the grace of Pati (Shiva).
Saviṣaya dhyāna corresponds to saguna upāsanā—meditating on Shiva with form and attributes, such as the Śiva-liṅga, Shiva’s icon, or the Panchākṣarī mantra—until the mind becomes steady enough to move toward nirviṣaya absorption.
Begin with supported meditation: fix the mind on Shiva as the liṅga or on “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” repeatedly returning attention whenever it wanders; as steadiness grows, allow the meditation to become subtler, moving toward objectless stillness.