Shloka 77

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

Devanagari script

समाधिना यतिश्रेष्ठाः प्रज्ञावृद्धिं विवर्धयेत् स्थानं लब्ध्वैव कुर्वीत योगाष्टाङ्गानि वै क्रमात्

Transliteration

samādhinā yatiśreṣṭhāḥ prajñāvṛddhiṃ vivardhayet sthānaṃ labdhvaiva kurvīta yogāṣṭāṅgāni vai kramāt

Translation

By samādhi, the foremost ascetics should foster the increase of true discernment. Having obtained a proper seat and place, one should then practice—step by step—the eight limbs of Yoga in due order.

Word by Word

• समाधिना: by samādhi (deep contemplative absorption)

• यतिश्रेष्ठाः: the best among ascetics (foremost renunciants)

• प्रज्ञावृद्धिं: the increase of prajñā (spiritual insight/discernment)

• विवर्धयेत्: should augment, should cause to grow

• स्थानं: a place/seat (steady posture and suitable location)

• लब्ध्वा एव: having obtained indeed

• कुर्वीत: should do, should practice

• योगाष्टाङ्गानि: the eight limbs of yoga

• वै: indeed/emphatically

• क्रमात्: in sequence, gradually

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana’s teaching to the sages of Naimisharanya)

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-oriented Shaiva practice as not merely external worship but an inner ascent: steadiness of place and posture, followed by disciplined aṣṭāṅga-yoga, culminating in samādhi that matures prajñā—direct insight into Pati (Shiva).

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

Shiva-tattva is approached here as the supreme reality realized through samādhi and refined discernment (prajñā). The teaching implies that Pati is known not by speculation but by ordered yogic practice that dissolves pāśa (bondage) upon the pashu (soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Aṣṭāṅga-yoga practiced kramāt (in sequence) after establishing a proper sthāna (steady seat/place), with samādhi as the means to expand prajñā—aligned with Pāśupata-oriented inner discipline.