Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 28
योगप्रकारनिर्णयः
Classification and Definition of Yoga
मध्यमस्तु द्विरुद्धातश्चतुर्विंशतिमात्रकः । उत्तमस्तु त्रिरुद्धातः षड्विंशन्मात्रकः परः
madhyamastu dviruddhātaścaturviṃśatimātrakaḥ | uttamastu triruddhātaḥ ṣaḍviṃśanmātrakaḥ paraḥ
‘மத்தியம’ ரூபம் அடிப்படை அளவை இரட்டிப்பாக்குவதால் உண்டாகி இருபத்துநான்கு மாத்திரைகளைக் கொண்டது. ‘உத்தம’ ரூபம் அதை மும்மடங்காக்குவதால் உண்டாகி உயர்ந்தது; அது இருபத்தாறு மாத்திரைகளுடன் உள்ளது.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Sthala Purana: Not applicable; continues the technical enumeration of mātrā-based gradations (madhyama/uttama) in yogic regulation.
Significance: Emphasizes graded sādhana (krama): increasing measures refine prāṇa-control and mental one-pointedness, aiding the soul’s (paśu) movement toward release from pāśa.
FAQs
It teaches graded refinement in sādhana: as the practitioner’s steadiness increases, the mantra’s measured recitation (mātrā) is expanded from a basic form to higher forms, supporting deeper concentration on Pati (Shiva) and loosening the bonds (pāśa) of distraction.
Measured japa is a disciplined way to worship Saguna Shiva—often alongside Linga-upāsanā—so the mind remains fixed on Shiva’s name/form with rhythm and clarity, which in Shaiva Siddhanta becomes a support for inner purification and eventual ascent toward the transcendent (para).
Practice mantra-japa with accurate mātrā (timed syllabic measure), progressing from a basic count to doubled and tripled forms as capacity grows; this is best done with steady breath, a calm seat, and focused attention on Shiva.