Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 2
ध्यानप्रकारनिर्णयः / Determination of the Modes of Meditation
on Śrīkaṇṭha-Śiva
स्थित्यर्थं मनसः केचित्स्थूलध्यानं प्रकुर्वते । स्थूलं तु निश्चलं चेतो भवेत्सूक्ष्मे तु तत्स्थिरम्
sthityarthaṃ manasaḥ kecitsthūladhyānaṃ prakurvate | sthūlaṃ tu niścalaṃ ceto bhavetsūkṣme tu tatsthiram
मनसः स्थित्यर्थं केचित् स्थूलध्यानं प्रकुर्वते। स्थूले चेतो निश्चलं भवति, सूक्ष्मे तु तत् स्थिरं भवेत्।
Suta Goswami (narrating the Vāyavīya teachings to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Sthala Purana: General yogic instruction: gross-to-subtle meditation as a method for stabilizing mind and preparing for higher realization.
Significance: Teaches a practical ladder: sākāra (gross/form) dhyāna steadies the mind, enabling nirākāra/subtle contemplation—supporting eventual release from pāśa.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches a graded Shaiva method of inner discipline: begin with a gross support for concentration to still the mind, then refine that attention into subtle contemplation where awareness becomes firmly established—supporting liberation-oriented yoga under Shiva’s grace.
Gross meditation aligns with Saguna worship—such as focusing on Shiva’s form or the Shiva-linga as an ālambana (support). As the mind becomes steady, the practitioner can move toward subtler contemplation of Shiva’s presence beyond form, without rejecting the devotional foundation.
A practical takeaway is to begin dhyāna with a concrete support—Shiva-linga, a murti, or mantra-japa (e.g., the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—until the mind becomes niścala, then internalize the focus into subtler awareness of Shiva within.