Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 6
योगप्रकारनिर्णयः
Classification and Definition of Yoga
निरुद्धवृत्त्यंतरस्यं शिवे चित्तस्य निश्चला । या वृत्तिः स समासेन योगः स खलु पञ्चधा
niruddhavṛttyaṃtarasyaṃ śive cittasya niścalā | yā vṛttiḥ sa samāsena yogaḥ sa khalu pañcadhā
অন্তৰ্বৃত্তি নিৰোধ হৈ চিত্ত শিৱত অচল-স্থিৰ হোৱা যি অৱস্থা, তাক সংক্ষেপে ‘যোগ’ বোলা হয়; আৰু সি নিশ্চয়েই পাঁচ প্ৰকাৰ।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Viśvanātha (Kāśī) is celebrated as the Lord in whom liberation is granted through steadfast fixation of consciousness on Śiva; the verse’s definition of yoga as niścalā cittavṛtti in Śiva aligns with Kāśī’s mokṣa-kṣetra theology.
Significance: Stability of mind in Śiva and orientation toward mokṣa; Kāśī is held to confer taraka-upadeśa and facilitate Śiva-sāyujya for the devoted.
Mantra: oṃ namaḥ śivāya
Type: panchakshara
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It defines Yoga as the mind becoming steady in Śiva after restraining its modifications—pointing to liberation through Pati-centered concentration where awareness rests in the Supreme Lord.
Steadiness “in Śiva” can be cultivated through Saguna supports such as Linga-worship, mantra, and dhyāna; these stabilize the mind so it can abide in Śiva beyond distraction, leading toward higher realization.
A practical takeaway is mantra-japa (especially Śiva-mantra) with focused dhyāna on Śiva/Linga to restrain vṛttis; supportive observances like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa may be adopted as aids to steadiness.