Adhyaya 8: Yogasthanas, Ashtanga Yoga, Pranayama-Siddhi, and Shiva-Dhyana leading to Samadhi
संतोषस्तस्य सततम् अतीतार्थस्य चास्मृतिः चान्द्रायणादिनिपुणस् तपांसि सुशुभानि च
saṃtoṣastasya satatam atītārthasya cāsmṛtiḥ cāndrāyaṇādinipuṇas tapāṃsi suśubhāni ca
اس کے لیے ہمیشہ قناعت ہے اور گزرے ہوئے امور کی رنجیدہ یاد میں گرفتاری نہیں رہتی۔ وہ چاندْرایَن وغیرہ کے ورتوں میں ماہر ہوتا ہے اور پتی (شیو) کے لیے وقف، نہایت مبارک اور خوش صورت ضبطِ نفس والے تپسیا کرتا ہے؛ اس سے پشو کے پاش ڈھیلے پڑتے ہیں۔
Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana’s teaching to the sages; internal context describing the Shaiva practitioner)
It lists inner and outer qualifications of a true Śiva-upāsaka—contentment, non-attachment to the past, and disciplined vratas—showing that Linga-pūjā is fulfilled by purity of conduct as much as by ritual.
By implying Śiva as Pati, the liberating Lord: when the paśu cultivates saṃtoṣa, detachment, and tapas, pāśa (bondage) is weakened and the soul becomes fit for Śiva’s grace.
The Cāndrāyaṇa vrata (a lunar-based expiatory/disciplinary observance) and related tapasyā, aligned with Shaiva self-purification that supports Pāśupata-oriented restraint and steadiness.