Adhyaya 8: Yogasthanas, Ashtanga Yoga, Pranayama-Siddhi, and Shiva-Dhyana leading to Samadhi
व्रतोपवासमौनं च स्नानं च नियमा दश नियमः स्यादनीहा च शौचं तुष्टिस्तपस् तथा
vratopavāsamaunaṃ ca snānaṃ ca niyamā daśa niyamaḥ syādanīhā ca śaucaṃ tuṣṭistapas tathā
Vrata (laku suci), upavāsa (puasa), mauna (diam suci), dan snāna (mandi ritual)—inilah sepuluh niyama yang diajarkan; juga anīhā (tanpa nafsu-keinginan), śauca (kemurnian), tuṣṭi (kepuasan batin), serta tapas (tapa). Dengan himpunan disiplin ini, sang paśu (jiwa) menjadi teguh dan layak berbhakti kepada Pati, Śiva.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
It lists core niyamas—vows, fasting, silence, bathing, purity, contentment, and austerity—that purify the paśu (individual soul) and make Linga-pūjā effective by reducing pasha (bondage) and stabilizing devotion to Pati (Śiva).
Śiva is implied as Pati—the liberating Lord—approached not merely by external rite but through inner disciplines (śauca, tuṣṭi, anīhā, tapas) that align the practitioner’s consciousness with Shiva-tattva.
A niyama-based regimen aligned with Pāśupata discipline: vrata and upavāsa (ritual restraint), mauna (mind-control), snāna and śauca (purification), and tapas (austerity) as preparatory practice for Shaiva worship and yoga.