Shloka 95

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

Devanagari script

गुणत्रयं क्रमेणैव मण्डलोपरि भावयेत् सत्त्वस्थं चिन्तयेद्रुद्रं स्वशक्त्या परिमण्डितम्

Transliteration

guṇatrayaṃ krameṇaiva maṇḍalopari bhāvayet sattvasthaṃ cintayedrudraṃ svaśaktyā parimaṇḍitam

Translation

Qu’on contemple, dans l’ordre requis, les trois guṇa au-dessus du maṇḍala rituel. Puis qu’on médite Rudra établi dans la sattva, entouré et paré de Sa propre Śakti, en tant que Pati suprême présidant aux guṇa.

Word by Word

• गुणत्रयम्: the triad of guṇas (sattva–rajas–tamas)

• क्रमेण एव: in proper sequence/step by step

• मण्डल-उपरि: upon/over the maṇḍala (sacred diagram)

• भावयेत्: one should contemplate/visualize

• सत्त्व-स्थम्: abiding in sattva (purity/illumination)

• चिन्तयेत्: one should meditate upon

• रुद्रम्: Rudra (Śiva as Pati)

• स्व-शक्त्या: by/with His own Śakti (intrinsic power)

• परि-मण्डितम्: surrounded, encircled, adorned.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shaiva upasana/vidhi to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Rudra
• Shiva
• Shakti

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-upasana as a structured inner ritual: the devotee visualizes the guṇas on the maṇḍala and then fixes awareness on Rudra in sattva, indicating that true worship culminates in purified meditation on Pati (Śiva) rather than external action alone.

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

Rudra is presented as the presiding Lord (Pati) who is contemplated in sattva and is inseparable from His own Śakti; this points to Śiva-tattva as luminous consciousness empowered by Śakti, governing the guṇas that bind the pashu through pasha.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A mandala-based dhyāna krama: sequential contemplation of sattva–rajas–tamas followed by one-pointed meditation on Rudra adorned by Śakti—an inner Pashupata-style discipline aimed at sattva-śuddhi and steadiness of mind.