Shloka 39

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

Devanagari script

स्वाध्यायस्तु जपः प्रोक्तः प्रणवस्य त्रिधा स्मृतः वाचिकश्चाधमो मुख्य उपांशुश्चोत्तमोत्तमः

Transliteration

svādhyāyastu japaḥ proktaḥ praṇavasya tridhā smṛtaḥ vācikaścādhamo mukhya upāṃśuścottamottamaḥ

Translation

Svādhyāya is declared to be japa; and the japa of the Praṇava (Oṁ) is remembered as threefold. The spoken recitation (vācika) is the lowest; the mental recitation is the principal; and the whispered recitation (upāṁśu) is the best of the best.

Word by Word

• स्वाध्यायः: svādhyāya (self-study/recitation of sacred teaching)

• तु: indeed

• जपः: japa (repetitive mantra-recitation)

• प्रोक्तः: is declared

• प्रणवस्य: of the Praṇava (Oṁ)

• त्रिधा: in three ways

• स्मृतः: is remembered/traditionally taught

• वाचिकः: vocal/aloud

• च: and

• अधमः: lowest

• मुख्यः: principal/primary

• उपांशुः: whispered/low-voiced (between speech and mind)

• च: and

• उत्तमोत्तमः: the best of the best/supremely excellent

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya, conveying Shaiva discipline of Pranava-japa)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It prioritizes inner worship (antar-yajana) through Praṇava-japa, indicating that refined, subtle recitation supports Linga-upāsanā by turning the pashu (soul) inward toward Pati (Śiva).

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

By centering the Praṇava and valuing mental/whispered japa, the verse implies Śiva-tattva is approached most truly through subtle, interiorized awareness rather than merely external sound—moving from gross to subtle toward the Lord.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Praṇava-japa as svādhyāya, taught in three modes—vācika (aloud), upāṁśu (whispered), and mānasa (mental)—with emphasis on the subtler forms as superior for yogic concentration in a Pāśupata-oriented discipline.