Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 9

ध्यानप्रकारनिर्णयः / Determination of the Modes of Meditation

on Śrīkaṇṭha-Śiva

Devanagari script

निराकारश्रयत्वेन साकाराश्रयतस्तथा । तस्मात्सविषयं ध्यानमादौ कृत्वा सबीजकम्

Transliteration

nirākāraśrayatvena sākārāśrayatastathā | tasmātsaviṣayaṃ dhyānamādau kṛtvā sabījakam

Translation

Because the Supreme is approached both by taking support in the formless and by taking support in the formed, therefore one should begin with object-supported meditation—meditation endowed with a ‘seed’ (bīja), such as mantra or a sacred form.

Word by Word

• nir-ākāra-śrayatvena: by reliance on the formless
• nir-ākāra-śrayatvena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nir (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + ākāra (प्रातिपदिक) + śraya (प्रातिपदिक) + -tva (तद्धित)
• Form: Instrumental singular of abstract noun in -tva used adverbially (तृतीया-एकवचन, भाववाचक); ‘by/through the state of resorting to the formless’

• sākāra-śrayataḥ: from (the standpoint of) reliance on the formed
• sākāra-śrayataḥ: Hetu/Adverbial (हेतु/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sa (उपसर्ग/प्रातिपदिक-पूर्वपद) + ākāra (प्रातिपदिक) + śraya (प्रातिपदिक) + -tas (तसिल्)
• Form: Ablatival adverb in -tas (तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय) meaning ‘from/according to reliance on form’

• tathā: thus/likewise
• tathā: Adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण अव्यय)

• tasmāt: therefore/from that
• tasmāt: Hetu/Apādāna (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular; pronominal

• sa-viṣayam: with an object (of meditation)
• sa-viṣayam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (प्रातिपदिक-पूर्वपद) + viṣaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; समासः—विषयः अस्ति यस्य (with an object)

• dhyānam: meditation
• dhyānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhyāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• ādau: at first/in the beginning
• ādau: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Locative singular used adverbially (सप्तमी-एकवचन, अव्ययीभावार्थ)

• kṛtvā: having done
• kṛtvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त) from √kṛ; ‘having done’

• sa-bījakam: with seed (mantra)
• sa-bījakam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (प्रातिपदिक-पूर्वपद) + bīja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; agrees with dhyānam; ‘with seed/mantra’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It teaches a graded Shaiva path: since Shiva can be realized as both formless (nirākāra) and with form (sākāra), the aspirant should start with supported concentration—sabīja, saviṣaya dhyāna—so the mind becomes steady and fit for subtler realization.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

Saviṣaya (object-based) meditation naturally aligns with Saguna worship—such as contemplating the Shiva-linga, Shiva’s auspicious form, or a mantra-linked icon—using a concrete support that leads the devotee toward the deeper, formless truth of Shiva.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Begin with sabīja meditation: hold a clear support like the Panchākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and/or the linga as the meditation-object, letting that ‘seed’ collect the mind before progressing toward nirvikalpa-style, objectless absorption.