Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 51
योगप्रकारनिर्णयः
Classification and Definition of Yoga
ध्यै चिंतायां स्मृतो धातुः शिवचिंता मुहुर्मुहुः । अव्याक्षिप्तेन मनसा ध्यानं नाम तदुच्यते
dhyai ciṃtāyāṃ smṛto dhātuḥ śivaciṃtā muhurmuhuḥ | avyākṣiptena manasā dhyānaṃ nāma taducyate
On dit que la racine verbale « dhyai » signifie « contempler ». Contempler Śiva encore et encore, avec un esprit non distrait, voilà ce qu’on appelle dhyāna (méditation).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Sthala Purana: Not a site-specific (sthala) passage; it defines dhyāna as repeated, undistracted Śiva-contemplation.
Significance: Frames inner pilgrimage: steadiness of mind (avyākṣepa) as the primary sādhana leading toward Śiva’s grace (anugraha).
Role: teaching
FAQs
It defines dhyāna as unwavering, repeated Śiva-smṛti (remembrance/contemplation of Śiva). In Shaiva Siddhānta terms, this steady turning of awareness toward Pati (Śiva) weakens pāśa (bondage) and purifies the pashu (individual soul) toward liberation.
For most practitioners, the mind becomes “avyākṣipta” (undistracted) by taking a concrete support: Saguna Śiva—especially the Śiva-liṅga—so contemplation repeatedly returns to Śiva’s presence, qualities, and grace, rather than wandering among objects.
Practice focused Śiva-dhyāna: sit steadily, reduce distraction, and repeatedly return the mind to Śiva—commonly supported by japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and, where applicable, worship aids like vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa to sustain remembrance.