प्रणवार्थ-शिवतत्त्व-निर्णयः
The Determination of Śiva as the Meaning of Praṇava
तदीयन्त्रिविधंरूपं स्थूलं सूक्ष्मं परन्ततः । ध्येयं मुमुक्षुभिर्नित्यं क्रमतो योगिभिर्मुने
tadīyantrividhaṃrūpaṃ sthūlaṃ sūkṣmaṃ parantataḥ | dhyeyaṃ mumukṣubhirnityaṃ kramato yogibhirmune
Wahai resi, hakikat-Nya berwujud tiga—yang kasar, yang halus, dan akhirnya yang melampaui segala. Maka para pencari moksha hendaklah bermeditasi atasnya sentiasa; para yogi menempuhnya setahap demi setahap menurut tertibnya.
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
It teaches that Śiva is realized in a progressive way—first as the manifest (sthūla), then as the inner subtle presence (sūkṣma), and finally as the supreme transcendent reality beyond both—guiding the mumukṣu toward mokṣa through steady meditation.
The “gross” form aligns with Saguna worship such as the Śiva-liṅga and ritual devotion, which stabilizes the mind; from that foundation the yogin internalizes worship as subtle contemplation, culminating in realization of Śiva as the transcendent (para) beyond form.
It recommends daily dhyāna in stages (krama): begin with focused worship/visualization of Śiva (often supported by mantra like the Pañcākṣarī), refine into subtle inward absorption, and rest in awareness of the supreme Śiva beyond attributes.