Vāyu-jaya (Prāṇa-vijaya) and Yogic Mastery over Time — वायुजय (प्राणविजय) तथा कालजय
तस्मान्मंत्रैस्तपोभिर्व्रतनियमयुतैरौषधैर्योगयुक्ता धात्री रक्ता मनुष्यैर्नयविनययुतैर्धर्मविद्भिः क्रमेण । भूतानामादि देवो न हि भवति चलः संयुतो वै चतुर्णां तस्मादेवं प्रवक्ष्ये विधिमनुगदितं छायिकं यच्छिवाख्यम्
tasmānmaṃtraistapobhirvrataniyamayutairauṣadhairyogayuktā dhātrī raktā manuṣyairnayavinayayutairdharmavidbhiḥ krameṇa | bhūtānāmādi devo na hi bhavati calaḥ saṃyuto vai caturṇāṃ tasmādevaṃ pravakṣye vidhimanugaditaṃ chāyikaṃ yacchivākhyam
Ainsi, la puissance qui soutient (Dhātrī) s’accorde justement—par les mantras, les austérités, les vœux et observances disciplinées, les appuis médicinaux, et la pratique du yoga—lorsque des êtres humains, guidés par la bonne conduite et l’humilité, connaissant le dharma, l’accomplissent pas à pas. Car le Deva primordial de tous les êtres, Śiva, n’est point changeant ; on doit l’approcher comme l’Unique conjoint aux quatre moyens. C’est pourquoi je vais maintenant exposer, selon l’enseignement transmis, la méthode prescrite appelée Chāyika, connue sous le nom de « Śiva ».
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s transmitted teaching to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Emphasizes sādhana as the ‘approach’ to the Ādi-deva: mantra, tapas, vrata-niyama, auṣadha, and yoga as graded disciplines; mirrors pilgrimage discipline (niyama, purity, gradual approach) but not tied to a single Jyotirliṅga.
It teaches that Śiva-realization is not gained by impulse but through a steady, ordered integration of mantra, tapas, disciplined vows, supportive means, and yoga—practiced with humility and dharmic conduct—because Śiva, the primal Lord, is unwavering and responds to sincere, well-formed sādhanā.
The verse frames Saguna worship as a structured path: mantra-japa, vrata-niyama, and yogic steadiness purify the seeker so that Linga-upāsanā becomes stable and fruitful, revealing the steadfast nature of Śiva beyond fickle emotions or irregular practice.
Adopt a gradual regimen combining Shiva-mantra japa (such as the Panchakshara), tapas and vrata with niyamas (purity, restraint, regular worship), and yoga (meditative steadiness); the emphasis is on disciplined continuity rather than sporadic devotion.