Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 31
ध्यानप्रकारनिर्णयः / Determination of the Modes of Meditation
on Śrīkaṇṭha-Śiva
तथांतर्ध्याननिरताः प्रियाश्शंभोर्न कर्मिणः । बहिस्करा यथा लोके नातीव फलभोगिनः
tathāṃtardhyānaniratāḥ priyāśśaṃbhorna karmiṇaḥ | bahiskarā yathā loke nātīva phalabhoginaḥ
De même, ceux qui s’adonnent à la contemplation intérieure sont chers à Śambhu, non ceux qui s’attachent à la seule action rituelle. Car l’étalage extérieur—tel l’ornement superficiel du monde—ne mène pas à la jouissance profonde des fruits véritables (de la pratique).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva is most pleased by antardhyāna—inner absorption and sincere devotion—rather than by actions performed as external display or for worldly results.
Linga-worship is fulfilled when outer pūjā becomes a doorway to inner stillness—seeing the Linga as the presence of Śiva and turning the mind inward, not treating worship as mere performance.
Prioritize daily dhyāna with japa (such as the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and let external observances like bhasma or rudrākṣa support inner recollection rather than replace it.