Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 3
ध्यानप्रकारनिर्णयः / Determination of the Modes of Meditation
on Śrīkaṇṭha-Śiva
शिवे तु चिंतिते साक्षात्सर्वाः सिध्यन्ति सिद्धयः । मूर्त्यंतरेषु ध्यातेषु शिवरूपं विचिंतयेत्
śive tu ciṃtite sākṣātsarvāḥ sidhyanti siddhayaḥ | mūrtyaṃtareṣu dhyāteṣu śivarūpaṃ viciṃtayet
Quando o próprio Śiva é contemplado diretamente, todas as siddhis se realizam. Mesmo ao meditar em outras formas divinas, deve-se contemplá-las como a própria forma de Śiva.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Not a jyotirliṅga episode; it articulates a Śaiva hermeneutic of deity-forms: all mūrtis are to be contemplated as Śiva-rūpa, with direct contemplation of Śiva granting siddhi.
Significance: Establishes Śiva as the universal devatā behind all forms; supports inclusive worship while maintaining Śiva as Pati and final refuge for mokṣa.
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva (Pati) is the direct, supreme object of contemplation; when the mind rests in Śiva, all attainments arise naturally, and liberation is approached by centering awareness on the Lord rather than on limited powers.
It supports Saguna upāsanā as a doorway to the Supreme: whether one worships the Śiva-liṅga or any revered form, the devotee should recognize the inner reality as Śiva, unifying devotion and leading the mind toward the highest Śiva-tattva.
Dhyāna is emphasized: meditate on Śiva directly; if using another iṣṭa-devatā form, consciously superimpose Śiva-nature upon it. Practically, this aligns with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while holding a steady Śiva-bhāva in the heart.