Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 34
ध्यानप्रकारनिर्णयः / Determination of the Modes of Meditation
on Śrīkaṇṭha-Śiva
ज्ञानयोगं पुनर्लब्ध्वा संसारमतिवर्तते । जिज्ञासुरपि योगस्य यां गतिं लभते नरः
jñānayogaṃ punarlabdhvā saṃsāramativartate | jijñāsurapi yogasya yāṃ gatiṃ labhate naraḥ
మోక్షదాయక జ్ఞానయోగమును మళ్లీ పొందినవాడు సంసారమును అతిక్రమించును. యోగమును తెలుసుకొనదలచిన జిజ్ఞాసువైన నరుడుకూడ యోగము ప్రసాదించు అదే గతి-స్థితిని పొందును.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that jñāna-yoga—right spiritual knowledge integrated with yogic discipline—enables the soul (paśu) to cross saṃsāra by loosening bondage (pāśa) and turning toward Shiva (Pati). Even sincere inquiry into Yoga is praised as spiritually efficacious and grace-inviting.
In Shaiva practice, devotion to the Linga (saguṇa upāsanā) purifies the mind and steadies attention; from that purity arises jñāna-yoga—clear discernment and inner absorption—through which one transcends saṃsāra. Thus Linga worship supports the knowledge that culminates in liberation by Shiva’s anugraha (grace).
A practical takeaway is daily Shiva-upāsanā combined with meditation: japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), contemplative study of Shiva’s teachings, and inner inquiry into the nature of bondage and release; these mature into jñāna-yoga that carries one beyond saṃsāra.