Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 7
ध्यानप्रकारनिर्णयः / Determination of the Modes of Meditation
on Śrīkaṇṭha-Śiva
सूक्ष्माश्रयं निर्विषयं नापरं परमार्थतः । यद्वा सविषयं ध्यानं तत्साकारसमाश्रयम्
sūkṣmāśrayaṃ nirviṣayaṃ nāparaṃ paramārthataḥ | yadvā saviṣayaṃ dhyānaṃ tatsākārasamāśrayam
La méditation qui prend appui sur le subtil et demeure sans objet n’est, en vérité, rien d’autre que la Réalité Suprême elle-même. Mais si la méditation se fait avec un objet, alors elle dépend d’une forme, d’un support concret et manifesté.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
It distinguishes two valid modes of Shaiva meditation: object-free absorption in the subtle (pointing to the Supreme Reality) and object-based contemplation supported by a manifest form—both guiding the seeker from practice toward realization.
Object-based meditation aligns with saguna supports such as the Shiva Linga, a murti, or a chosen visualization of Shiva; these provide a concrete basis for dhyana that can mature into subtler, object-free contemplation.
It suggests dhyana with a support (e.g., Linga-focused contemplation with mantra like Om Namaḥ Śivāya) for most practitioners, and progressively refining attention toward subtle, object-free meditation as steadiness and purity increase.