Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 26
ध्यानप्रकारनिर्णयः / Determination of the Modes of Meditation
on Śrīkaṇṭha-Śiva
योगाभ्यासस्तथाल्पो ऽपि महापापं विनाशयेत् । ध्यायतः क्षणमात्रं वा श्रद्धया परमेश्वरम्
yogābhyāsastathālpo 'pi mahāpāpaṃ vināśayet | dhyāyataḥ kṣaṇamātraṃ vā śraddhayā parameśvaram
യോഗാഭ്യാസം അല്പമാത്രമായാലും മഹാപാപം നശിപ്പിക്കുന്നു; അതുപോലെ ശ്രദ്ധയോടെ പരമേശ്വരനായ ശിവനെ ക്ഷണമാത്രം ധ്യാനിച്ചാലും അത് മഹാ പാപരാശിയെ ഛേദിച്ച് ശുദ്ധീകരിക്കുന്നു.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Highlights faith-filled momentary dhyāna as sufficient to begin purification—encouraging accessibility of Śiva-upāsanā beyond pilgrimage or elaborate rites.
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches that purification is not merely proportional to duration but to sincerity: even brief, faith-filled meditation on Śiva and even modest yoga-discipline can burn heavy pāpa and loosen the bonds (pāśa) that keep the soul (paśu) in saṃsāra.
Meditation ‘on Parameśvara’ can be practiced through saguna supports such as the Śiva-liṅga, Śiva’s form, or mantra; the verse affirms that even momentary, devoted contemplation of Śiva as the accessible Lord yields strong inner purification leading toward realization of the Supreme.
A simple takeaway is daily kṣaṇa-dhyāna: sit briefly with śraddhā, focus on Śiva (liṅga or form), and repeat a Śaiva mantra such as the Pañcākṣarī ‘Om Namaḥ Śivāya’—even a short practice, done sincerely, is said to remove great sin.