Shloka 43

अध्याय 91: अरिष्ट-लक्षण, मृत्यु-संस्कार, पाशुपत-धारणा तथा ओङ्कार-उपासना

Devanagari script

द्वादशाध्यात्ममित्येवं योगधारणमुच्यते शतमर्धशतं वापि धारणां मूर्ध्नि धारयेत्

Transliteration

dvādaśādhyātmamityevaṃ yogadhāraṇamucyate śatamardhaśataṃ vāpi dhāraṇāṃ mūrdhni dhārayet

Translation

Ainsi, on appelle cela la dhāraṇā du yoga, fondée sur la discipline intérieure en douze aspects (adhyātma). Qu’on maintienne cette concentration au sommet de la tête, pendant cent comptes ou même cinquante, en y fixant l’esprit dans une rétention stable.

Word by Word

• द्वादश (dvādaśa): twelvefold

• अध्यात्मम् (adhyātmam): pertaining to the inner Self/spiritual interiority

• इति (iti): thus

• एवम् (evam): in this manner

• योग-धारणम् (yoga-dhāraṇam): yogic concentration/retentive fixation

• उच्यते (ucyate): is said/called

• शतम् (śatam): one hundred

• अर्ध-शतम् (ardha-śatam): fifty

• वा अपि (vā api): or even

• धारणाम् (dhāraṇām): the act/state of concentration

• मूर्ध्नि (mūrdhni): at the crown/top of the head

• धारयेत् (dhārayet): one should hold/sustain.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s yogic teaching within the Linga Purana’s discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-oriented Shaiva practice as inseparable from inner yogic steadiness: dhāraṇā refines the pashu’s awareness so it may turn toward Pati (Shiva) beyond outer ritual.

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

By directing concentration to the crown and emphasizing adhyātma, it implies Shiva-tattva as the highest interior reality—accessed through inward fixation that loosens pāśa (bondage) and clarifies consciousness.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A dhāraṇā practice: holding the mind steadily at the crown (mūrdhan) for a measured duration (50 or 100 counts), aligning with Pāśupata-style internal discipline.