Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 29
ध्यानप्रकारनिर्णयः / Determination of the Modes of Meditation
on Śrīkaṇṭha-Śiva
योगिनो न प्रपद्यंते स्वात्मप्रत्ययकारणात् । योगिनां च वपुः सूक्ष्मं भवेत्प्रत्यक्षमैश्वरम्
yogino na prapadyaṃte svātmapratyayakāraṇāt | yogināṃ ca vapuḥ sūkṣmaṃ bhavetpratyakṣamaiśvaram
Grounded in the direct certitude of their own Self, yogins do not fall into dependence on external supports. And the yogin’s body becomes subtle, manifesting a directly perceivable lordly power (aiśvarya) through the grace of Śiva, the supreme Pati.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that true yogic stability comes from inner certainty born of Self-realization, not from dependence on external props; as Śiva’s grace matures, the practitioner’s being becomes subtle and capable of manifesting higher, directly experienced spiritual power.
In Shaiva Siddhanta, Saguna worship (Linga, mantra, pūjā) purifies and focuses the soul until inner certitude arises; once that direct knowing dawns, external supports are no longer the practitioner’s sole reliance, though devotion to Śiva remains the sustaining source of grace.
It points to sustained yoga grounded in Śiva-bhakti—japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and meditation leading to direct inner conviction; traditional Shaiva aids like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa may support steadiness, but the verse emphasizes inner realization as the decisive factor.