Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 28
योगप्रकारनिर्णयः
Classification and Definition of Yoga
मध्यमस्तु द्विरुद्धातश्चतुर्विंशतिमात्रकः । उत्तमस्तु त्रिरुद्धातः षड्विंशन्मात्रकः परः
madhyamastu dviruddhātaścaturviṃśatimātrakaḥ | uttamastu triruddhātaḥ ṣaḍviṃśanmātrakaḥ paraḥ
‘మధ్యమ’ రూపము మూల ప్రమాణమును ద్విగుణం చేయుటవలన ఉద్భవించి చతుర్వింశతి మాత్రలతో ఉంటుంది. ‘ఉత్తమ’ రూపము త్రిగుణం చేయుటవలన ఉద్భవించి శ్రేష్ఠమైనది; అది షడ్వింశతి మాత్రలతో యుక్తము.
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.