Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 48
ध्यानप्रकारनिर्णयः / Determination of the Modes of Meditation
on Śrīkaṇṭha-Śiva
स तत्र निवसन्नेव यदि धीरमना नरः । प्राणान्विनापि रोगाद्यैः स्वयमेव परित्यजेत्
sa tatra nivasanneva yadi dhīramanā naraḥ | prāṇānvināpi rogādyaiḥ svayameva parityajet
Wenn ein Mann, fest im Geist, dort weiterhin verweilt, dann kann er—selbst ohne das Anstürmen von Krankheiten und dergleichen—aus eigenem Willen den Lebenshauch (Prāṇa) loslassen und das Ende in Gelassenheit erreichen.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Continuation of the kṣetra-teaching: dwelling in Śiva’s sacred place with steady mind, one may relinquish prāṇa voluntarily—suggesting a composed, yoga-informed death oriented to Śiva.
Significance: Emphasizes ‘dhīra-manā’ (steadfast mind) and intentional prāṇa-tyāga as an auspicious culmination when supported by kṣetra and sādhana.
Role: liberating
FAQs
It praises unwavering inner composure: when the mind is steady in Shiva-oriented living, even death need not be forced by suffering—one can meet it consciously, indicating ripeness for liberation through detachment and Shiva’s grace.
Dwelling near Shiva (often implied as a sacred Shiva-abode/kshetra) and living in steadfast devotion to Saguna Shiva supports mental firmness; such steadiness matures into dispassion and surrender, by which the devotee approaches the final transition without fear.
A takeaway is dhyāna with prāṇa-saṁyama (restraint of the vital airs) grounded in Shiva-bhakti—such as japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with calm contemplation—leading to fearlessness and steadiness at life’s end.