Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 23
शिवस्य परापरब्रह्मस्वरूपनिर्णयः / Determination of Śiva as Higher and Lower Brahman
प्राज्ञस्तैजसविश्वात्मेत्यपरे संप्रचक्षते । तुरीयमपरे प्राहुः सौम्यमेव परे विदुः
prājñastaijasaviśvātmetyapare saṃpracakṣate | turīyamapare prāhuḥ saumyameva pare viduḥ
Certains le décrivent comme Prājña, Taijasa et Viśvātman; d’autres le proclament Turīya, le Quatrième état. D’autres encore ne le connaissent que comme Saumya, la Réalité sereine et propice.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Vāyavīya philosophical teaching to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that Shiva is realized through multiple frameworks—waking, dream, deep sleep, and the transcendence beyond them—yet His highest nature is the calm, auspicious Reality (Saumya) that grants liberation when truly known.
The Linga supports Saguna worship as a focused means to steady the mind through the three ordinary states; through sustained devotion and contemplation, the devotee is led to the recognition of Shiva as Turīya—beyond all limiting conditions—while still honoring His auspicious presence.
A practical takeaway is meditation on Shiva as the witness of waking, dream, and deep sleep—supported by japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and inner recollection of His Saumya (peaceful) form to move toward Turīya-like steadiness.