Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 48
ध्यानप्रकारनिर्णयः / Determination of the Modes of Meditation
on Śrīkaṇṭha-Śiva
स तत्र निवसन्नेव यदि धीरमना नरः । प्राणान्विनापि रोगाद्यैः स्वयमेव परित्यजेत्
sa tatra nivasanneva yadi dhīramanā naraḥ | prāṇānvināpi rogādyaiḥ svayameva parityajet
Si un homme, l’esprit ferme, demeure là, alors—même sans l’assaut des maladies et autres maux—il peut de lui-même relâcher le souffle vital (prāṇa) et atteindre la fin dans le recueillement.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Continuation of the kṣetra-teaching: dwelling in Śiva’s sacred place with steady mind, one may relinquish prāṇa voluntarily—suggesting a composed, yoga-informed death oriented to Śiva.
Significance: Emphasizes ‘dhīra-manā’ (steadfast mind) and intentional prāṇa-tyāga as an auspicious culmination when supported by kṣetra and sādhana.
Role: liberating
FAQs
It praises unwavering inner composure: when the mind is steady in Shiva-oriented living, even death need not be forced by suffering—one can meet it consciously, indicating ripeness for liberation through detachment and Shiva’s grace.
Dwelling near Shiva (often implied as a sacred Shiva-abode/kshetra) and living in steadfast devotion to Saguna Shiva supports mental firmness; such steadiness matures into dispassion and surrender, by which the devotee approaches the final transition without fear.
A takeaway is dhyāna with prāṇa-saṁyama (restraint of the vital airs) grounded in Shiva-bhakti—such as japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with calm contemplation—leading to fearlessness and steadiness at life’s end.