Adhyaya 8: Yogasthanas, Ashtanga Yoga, Pranayama-Siddhi, and Shiva-Dhyana leading to Samadhi
संतोषस्तस्य सततम् अतीतार्थस्य चास्मृतिः चान्द्रायणादिनिपुणस् तपांसि सुशुभानि च
saṃtoṣastasya satatam atītārthasya cāsmṛtiḥ cāndrāyaṇādinipuṇas tapāṃsi suśubhāni ca
त्याच्यात सतत संतोष असतो आणि गेलेल्या गोष्टींचे खेदयुक्त स्मरण राहत नाही. तो चान्द्रायणादी व्रतांत निपुण असतो आणि पति (शिव) यांना अर्पित, शुभ व सुंदर शिस्तबद्ध तप करतो; त्यामुळे पशूचे पाश शिथिल होतात।
Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana’s teaching to the sages; internal context describing the Shaiva practitioner)
It lists inner and outer qualifications of a true Śiva-upāsaka—contentment, non-attachment to the past, and disciplined vratas—showing that Linga-pūjā is fulfilled by purity of conduct as much as by ritual.
By implying Śiva as Pati, the liberating Lord: when the paśu cultivates saṃtoṣa, detachment, and tapas, pāśa (bondage) is weakened and the soul becomes fit for Śiva’s grace.
The Cāndrāyaṇa vrata (a lunar-based expiatory/disciplinary observance) and related tapasyā, aligned with Shaiva self-purification that supports Pāśupata-oriented restraint and steadiness.