Adhyaya 8: Yogasthanas, Ashtanga Yoga, Pranayama-Siddhi, and Shiva-Dhyana leading to Samadhi
शान्तिः प्रशान्तिर्दीप्तिश् च प्रसादश् च तथा क्रमात् आदौ चतुष्टयस्येह प्रोक्ता शान्तिरिह द्विजाः
śāntiḥ praśāntirdīptiś ca prasādaś ca tathā kramāt ādau catuṣṭayasyeha proktā śāntiriha dvijāḥ
Покой (śānti), глубокая умиротворённость (praśānti), сияние (dīpti) и благодать-ясность (prasāda) излагаются здесь в должной последовательности. Из этого четверичного ряда, о дважды-рождённые мудрецы, первым провозглашается покой (śānti).
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
It establishes śānti (pacification/peace) as the first prerequisite for linga-pūjā and mantra practice—without inner calm, offerings remain external and do not mature into Shiva’s prasāda (grace).
By highlighting śānti, praśānti, dīpti, and prasāda, it points to Shiva-tattva as the source of pacification, stillness beyond agitation, luminous consciousness, and gracious bestowal—qualities that loosen pāśa (bondage) upon the paśu (soul).
A Pāśupata-oriented inner discipline: begin with śānti (mind-body pacification), deepen into praśānti (steady absorption), which supports dīpti (clarity/inner light) and culminates in prasāda (grace) during linga-pūjā, japa, and dhyāna.