Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 28
योगप्रकारनिर्णयः
Classification and Definition of Yoga
मध्यमस्तु द्विरुद्धातश्चतुर्विंशतिमात्रकः । उत्तमस्तु त्रिरुद्धातः षड्विंशन्मात्रकः परः
madhyamastu dviruddhātaścaturviṃśatimātrakaḥ | uttamastu triruddhātaḥ ṣaḍviṃśanmātrakaḥ paraḥ
Thể “trung” được tạo bởi việc nhân đôi lượng căn bản và có hai mươi bốn mātrā. Còn thể “tối thượng” được tạo bởi việc nhân ba lượng ấy, là bậc cao hơn, gồm hai mươi sáu mātrā.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Sthala Purana: Not applicable; continues the technical enumeration of mātrā-based gradations (madhyama/uttama) in yogic regulation.
Significance: Emphasizes graded sādhana (krama): increasing measures refine prāṇa-control and mental one-pointedness, aiding the soul’s (paśu) movement toward release from pāśa.
FAQs
It teaches graded refinement in sādhana: as the practitioner’s steadiness increases, the mantra’s measured recitation (mātrā) is expanded from a basic form to higher forms, supporting deeper concentration on Pati (Shiva) and loosening the bonds (pāśa) of distraction.
Measured japa is a disciplined way to worship Saguna Shiva—often alongside Linga-upāsanā—so the mind remains fixed on Shiva’s name/form with rhythm and clarity, which in Shaiva Siddhanta becomes a support for inner purification and eventual ascent toward the transcendent (para).
Practice mantra-japa with accurate mātrā (timed syllabic measure), progressing from a basic count to doubled and tripled forms as capacity grows; this is best done with steady breath, a calm seat, and focused attention on Shiva.