Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 7
योगप्रकारनिर्णयः
Classification and Definition of Yoga
मंत्रयोगःस्पर्शयोगो भावयोगस्तथापरः । अभावयोगस्सर्वेभ्यो महायोगः परो मतः
maṃtrayogaḥsparśayogo bhāvayogastathāparaḥ | abhāvayogassarvebhyo mahāyogaḥ paro mataḥ
منتر یوگ، سپرش یوگ اور بھاو یوگ بھی بتائے گئے ہیں؛ مگر سب یوگوں سے ماورا اَبھاو یوگ ہی پرم مہا یوگ مانا گیا ہے۔
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
It ranks progressive yogic approaches—mantra, inner contact, and devotional contemplation—and culminates in Abhāva-yoga, a Shaiva-oriented transcendence where the mind’s constructed states subside and one abides in the Supreme (Shiva) as the highest Mahāyoga.
Mantra-yoga and bhāva-yoga naturally align with Saguna worship—japa, pūjā, and loving contemplation of Shiva in the Linga—while Abhāva-yoga points to the culmination where worship ripens into stillness and direct orientation to Shiva beyond form, without rejecting the Linga as the sacred support.
Begin with mantra-japa (especially Shiva-mantras) joined to steady bhāva (devotional contemplation), then refine meditation toward quieting mental movements—resting in Shiva-centered awareness where reactive thought-forms diminish (the drift toward Abhāva-yoga).