Shloka 2

Adhyaya 8: Yogasthanas, Ashtanga Yoga, Pranayama-Siddhi, and Shiva-Dhyana leading to Samadhi

Devanagari script

गलादधो वितस्त्या यन् नाभेरुपरि चोत्तमम् योगस्थानमधो नाभेर् आवर्तं मध्यमं भ्रुवोः

Transliteration

galādadho vitastyā yan nābherupari cottamam yogasthānamadho nābher āvartaṃ madhyamaṃ bhruvoḥ

Translation

गलादधो वितस्त्या यन्नाभेरुपरि चोत्तमम्। योगस्थानमधो नाभेरावर्तं मध्यमं भ्रुवोः॥

Word by Word

• galāt: from the throat

• adhaḥ: below

• vitastyā: by a span (vitasti measure)

• yat: which

• nābheḥ: of the navel

• upari: above

• ca: and

• uttamam: the highest/supreme

• yogasthānam: the place/seat of yoga

• adho: below

• nābheḥ: of the navel

• āvartaṁ: the whorl/circle (navel-whorl)

• madhyamam: the middle/central

• bhruvoḥ: of the two eyebrows (between the brows)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purva-Bhaga teaching tradition to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It shifts Linga-worship from only an external emblem to an inner Linga: the practitioner is taught precise bodily loci for dhyāna, making worship a direct inward approach to Pati (Shiva) beyond mere ritual form.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Shiva-tattva is approached as the supreme, subtle presence realized through yogic centering—experienced inwardly as consciousness established in the ‘highest seat,’ guiding the pashu (soul) away from pāśa (bondage) through disciplined attention.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights internalized Pāśupata-style dhyāna: fixing awareness at defined centers (above/below the navel and between the eyebrows) as part of inner worship and concentration leading toward liberation.