Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 51
मन्त्रसिद्ध्यर्थं गुरुपूजा–आज्ञा–पौरश्चर्यविधिः / Guru-Authorization, Offerings, and Puraścaraṇa for Mantra-Siddhi
ज्योतींषि च प्रपश्येद्वा कुर्याद्वा प्राणसंयमम् । अनासनः शयाने वा गच्छन्नुत्थित एव वा । रथ्यायामशिवे स्थाने न जपेत्तिमिरान्तरे । प्रसार्य न जपेत्पादौ कुक्कुटासन एव वा
jyotīṃṣi ca prapaśyedvā kuryādvā prāṇasaṃyamam | anāsanaḥ śayāne vā gacchannutthita eva vā | rathyāyāmaśive sthāne na japettimirāntare | prasārya na japetpādau kukkuṭāsana eva vā
Qu’on contemple une lumière sacrée (telle une lampe) ou qu’on pratique la maîtrise du souffle vital. Le japa ne doit pas être accompli sans un siège convenable — ni couché, ni en marchant, ni simplement debout. Qu’on ne fasse pas japa dans la rue, en un lieu inauspicieux, ni au cœur des ténèbres. Qu’on ne fasse pas non plus japa les pieds étendus, ni assis en kukkuṭāsana, la « posture du coq ».
Suta Goswami (narrating Shaiva disciplines to the sages of Naimisharanya within the Vayu Samhita discourse)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Significance: Codifies yogic-ritual stability (āsana, deśa, prakāśa) for sustaining mantra; supports ‘sthiti’—steadfast continuity of practice.
FAQs
It teaches that mantra-japa is a sacred yogic act requiring purity, steadiness, and reverence; correct posture, place, and inner focus protect the mind from distraction so devotion to Shiva becomes one-pointed and transformative.
Gazing at a lamp and avoiding impure settings supports attentive worship before the Shiva-linga or an image of Saguna Shiva, ensuring the chant is offered as a disciplined upachāra (devotional service) rather than casual speech.
Perform japa seated properly in a clean, auspicious place, with steady posture and (optionally) prāṇasaṃyama; avoid chanting while lying, walking, standing, in streets, in darkness, or with feet stretched out.