Adhyaya 8: Yogasthanas, Ashtanga Yoga, Pranayama-Siddhi, and Shiva-Dhyana leading to Samadhi
यमाः संक्षेपतः प्रोक्ता नियमांश् च वदामि वः शौचमिज्या तपो दानं स्वाध्यायोपस्थनिग्रहः
yamāḥ saṃkṣepataḥ proktā niyamāṃś ca vadāmi vaḥ śaucamijyā tapo dānaṃ svādhyāyopasthanigrahaḥ
Các yama đã được nói vắn tắt; nay ta sẽ nói với các ngươi về các niyama: thanh tịnh (śauca), thờ phụng (ijyā), khổ hạnh (tapas), bố thí (dāna), tự học/đọc tụng (svādhyāya), và chế ngự dục lực (upastha-nigraha).
Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana’s teaching to the sages of Naimisharanya)
It frames Linga-puja as inseparable from inner purification: śauca (purity), ijyā (worship), tapa (austerity), dāna (charity), svādhyāya (scriptural recitation), and brahmacarya-like restraint prepare the pashu (individual soul) to approach the Pati (Shiva) through the Linga with steadiness and reverence.
Shiva is implied as Pati—the Lord who is approached through disciplined observances. The verse indicates that realization of Shiva-tattva is supported by ethical-yogic order that reduces pasha (bondage) and makes the soul fit for grace (anugraha).
Niyamas central to Shaiva sadhana are highlighted—especially ijyā (regular worship/puja) and upastha-nigraha (sense-restraint/continence), which stabilize mind and prana for Pashupata-oriented practice alongside tapas, charity, and svādhyāya.