Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 25
शिवस्य परापरब्रह्मस्वरूपनिर्णयः / Determination of Śiva as Higher and Lower Brahman
जाग्रत्स्वप्नसुषुप्त्यात्मेत्यपरे संप्रचक्षते । तुरीयमपरे प्राहुस्तुर्यातीतमितीतरे
jāgratsvapnasuṣuptyātmetyapare saṃpracakṣate | turīyamapare prāhusturyātītamitītare
Some describe the Self (Ātman) as abiding in waking, dreaming, and deep sleep. Others declare a fourth state (turīya). Yet others speak of that which transcends even the fourth (turīyātīta)—the supreme Reality beyond all states.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Role: teaching
FAQs
It classifies spiritual realization beyond ordinary experience: first the three states, then turīya (the witnessing consciousness), and finally turīyātīta—pointing to Shiva as the supreme reality transcending all conditions, the goal of liberation.
Linga worship begins with saguna focus (form and symbol) to steady the mind; through devotion and contemplation the seeker is led to the formless, state-transcending Shiva indicated here as turīyātīta.
Meditative witnessing of the three states, supported by japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and Shaiva disciplines like Bhasma (Tripundra) and Rudraksha, to abide in turīya and mature toward state-transcendent realization.