Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 8
ध्यानप्रकारनिर्णयः / Determination of the Modes of Meditation
on Śrīkaṇṭha-Śiva
निराकारात्मसंवित्तिर्ध्यानं निर्विषयं मतम् । निर्बीजं च सबीजं च तदेव ध्यानमुच्यते
nirākārātmasaṃvittirdhyānaṃ nirviṣayaṃ matam | nirbījaṃ ca sabījaṃ ca tadeva dhyānamucyate
สมาธิหมายถึงความรู้ตัวภายในของอาตมันอันไร้รูปและไร้อารมณ์ภายนอก; สมาธินั้นเองกล่าวว่าเป็นสองอย่าง คือ นิรพีชะ (ไร้เมล็ด) และ สพีชะ (มีเมล็ด)۔
Suta Goswami (narrating Shaiva yogic doctrine to the sages, as typical of the Vāyavīya Saṃhitā discourse)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Role: teaching
FAQs
It defines true dhyāna as objectless, formless inner awareness—pointing to realization of Shiva as the indwelling Self (Pati), beyond mental constructions, and presenting a graded path through supported and unsupported meditation.
Sabīja-dhyāna corresponds to meditating with a support—such as the Śiva-liṅga, Shiva’s form, or mantra—purifying the mind; nirbīja-dhyāna culminates in nirākāra awareness where the meditator rests in Shiva beyond form, without abandoning Shiva-bhakti but transcending imagery.
Begin with sabīja practice such as japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with liṅga-dhyāna; as steadiness matures, move toward nirbīja by resting in silent, objectless awareness after japa, maintaining Shaiva devotion and purity disciplines.