Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 38
शक्तितत्त्ववर्णनम् / Exposition of the Principle of Śakti
जपस्त्रिधा शिवाभ्यासश्चिन्ता ध्यानं शिवस्य तु । शिवागमोक्तं यज्ज्ञानं तदत्र ज्ञानमुच्यते
japastridhā śivābhyāsaścintā dhyānaṃ śivasya tu | śivāgamoktaṃ yajjñānaṃ tadatra jñānamucyate
El japa es de tres clases; y la práctica reiterada de Śiva, la contemplación y la meditación en Śiva—junto con el conocimiento enseñado en los Śiva Āgamas—eso, en este contexto, es lo que se llama “conocimiento” (jñāna).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Type: panchakshara
Role: teaching
FAQs
It defines “knowledge” not as mere theory, but as Shaiva sādhanā: disciplined japa, sustained practice centered on Shiva, contemplation, meditation, and Agama-grounded understanding that leads the soul (paśu) toward Shiva (Pati) by loosening bondage (pāśa).
Japa, contemplation, and dhyāna are typically performed with a concrete focus—Shiva as Linga and as the gracious Saguna Lord—so the mind becomes one-pointed; from that worship, Agamic knowledge matures into inner realization of Shiva’s presence.
Regular mantra-japa (commonly the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), supported by repeated Shiva-centered practice, reflective contemplation, and silent meditation as taught in Shaiva Āgamas; this is the verse’s practical takeaway.