Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 3
ध्यानप्रकारनिर्णयः / Determination of the Modes of Meditation
on Śrīkaṇṭha-Śiva
शिवे तु चिंतिते साक्षात्सर्वाः सिध्यन्ति सिद्धयः । मूर्त्यंतरेषु ध्यातेषु शिवरूपं विचिंतयेत्
śive tu ciṃtite sākṣātsarvāḥ sidhyanti siddhayaḥ | mūrtyaṃtareṣu dhyāteṣu śivarūpaṃ viciṃtayet
Lorsque Śiva est contemplé directement, toutes les siddhis s’accomplissent. Même en méditant sur d’autres formes divines, qu’on les contemple comme la forme même de Śiva.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Not a jyotirliṅga episode; it articulates a Śaiva hermeneutic of deity-forms: all mūrtis are to be contemplated as Śiva-rūpa, with direct contemplation of Śiva granting siddhi.
Significance: Establishes Śiva as the universal devatā behind all forms; supports inclusive worship while maintaining Śiva as Pati and final refuge for mokṣa.
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva (Pati) is the direct, supreme object of contemplation; when the mind rests in Śiva, all attainments arise naturally, and liberation is approached by centering awareness on the Lord rather than on limited powers.
It supports Saguna upāsanā as a doorway to the Supreme: whether one worships the Śiva-liṅga or any revered form, the devotee should recognize the inner reality as Śiva, unifying devotion and leading the mind toward the highest Śiva-tattva.
Dhyāna is emphasized: meditate on Śiva directly; if using another iṣṭa-devatā form, consciously superimpose Śiva-nature upon it. Practically, this aligns with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while holding a steady Śiva-bhāva in the heart.