Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 119

ध्यानयज्ञः, संसार-विष-निरूपणम्, पाशुपतयोगः, परा-अपरा विद्या, चतुर्वस्था-विचारः (अध्यायः ८६)

Devanagari script

इम्पोर्तन्चे ओफ़् ध्यान ज्ञानं यथा तथा ध्यानं तस्माद्ध्यानं समभ्यसेत् ध्यानं निर्विषयं प्रोक्तम् आदौ सविषयं तथा

Transliteration

importance of dhyāna jñānaṃ yathā tathā dhyānaṃ tasmāddhyānaṃ samabhyaset dhyānaṃ nirviṣayaṃ proktam ādau saviṣayaṃ tathā

Translation

Kung paanong ang tunay na kaalaman (jñāna) ay sumisibol sa pamamagitan ng pagninilay (dhyāna), kaya nararapat na masikap na magsanay sa dhyāna. Itinuturo na sa huli ang pagninilay ay walang bagay na pinagtutuunan (nirviṣaya), bagaman sa simula ito’y isinasagawa na may bagay na pinagtutuunan (saviṣaya).

Word by Word

• dhyāna: meditation

• jñānam: knowledge, liberating insight

• yathā tathā: in the manner in which/just as

• tasmāt: therefore

• samabhyaset: one should अभ्यास/practice repeatedly

• nirviṣayam: without an object, free of mental supports

• proktam: declared/taught

• ādau: in the beginning

• saviṣayam: with an object, supported by form/attribute

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the teaching tradition of Shiva-oriented yoga within the Purana)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It frames Linga-upāsanā as a meditative path: the Linga can serve as the initial saviṣaya support, leading the worshipper toward nirviṣaya absorption where the Pashu recognizes Pati beyond all limiting forms.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

By pointing to nirviṣaya dhyāna, it implies Shiva-tattva as transcending objects and mental constructs—Pati is realized when attention becomes free from viṣaya (object-support) and bondage (pāśa) loosens through jñāna.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A graded dhyāna discipline: begin with saviṣaya meditation (often supported by mantra, Linga-form, or divine attributes) and mature into nirviṣaya meditation, aligning with Pāśupata-style inner practice aimed at liberation.