Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 51
मन्त्रसिद्ध्यर्थं गुरुपूजा–आज्ञा–पौरश्चर्यविधिः / Guru-Authorization, Offerings, and Puraścaraṇa for Mantra-Siddhi
ज्योतींषि च प्रपश्येद्वा कुर्याद्वा प्राणसंयमम् । अनासनः शयाने वा गच्छन्नुत्थित एव वा । रथ्यायामशिवे स्थाने न जपेत्तिमिरान्तरे । प्रसार्य न जपेत्पादौ कुक्कुटासन एव वा
jyotīṃṣi ca prapaśyedvā kuryādvā prāṇasaṃyamam | anāsanaḥ śayāne vā gacchannutthita eva vā | rathyāyāmaśive sthāne na japettimirāntare | prasārya na japetpādau kukkuṭāsana eva vā
ज्योतींषि च प्रपश्येद्वा कुर्याद्वा प्राणसंयमम् । अनासनः शयाने वा गच्छन्नुत्थित एव वा । रथ्यायामशिवे स्थाने न जपेत् तिमिरान्तरे । प्रसार्य न जपेत् पादौ कुक्कुटासन एव वा ॥
Suta Goswami (narrating Shaiva disciplines to the sages of Naimisharanya within the Vayu Samhita discourse)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Significance: Codifies yogic-ritual stability (āsana, deśa, prakāśa) for sustaining mantra; supports ‘sthiti’—steadfast continuity of practice.
FAQs
It teaches that mantra-japa is a sacred yogic act requiring purity, steadiness, and reverence; correct posture, place, and inner focus protect the mind from distraction so devotion to Shiva becomes one-pointed and transformative.
Gazing at a lamp and avoiding impure settings supports attentive worship before the Shiva-linga or an image of Saguna Shiva, ensuring the chant is offered as a disciplined upachāra (devotional service) rather than casual speech.
Perform japa seated properly in a clean, auspicious place, with steady posture and (optionally) prāṇasaṃyama; avoid chanting while lying, walking, standing, in streets, in darkness, or with feet stretched out.