Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 114

Adhyaya 8: Yogasthanas, Ashtanga Yoga, Pranayama-Siddhi, and Shiva-Dhyana leading to Samadhi

Devanagari script

ध्यानं द्वादशकं यावत् समाधिर् अभिधीयते अथवा ज्ञानिनां विप्राः सम्पर्कादेव जायते

Transliteration

dhyānaṃ dvādaśakaṃ yāvat samādhir abhidhīyate athavā jñānināṃ viprāḥ samparkādeva jāyate

Translation

禅观（dhyāna）若持续至十二分量，即宣说为三摩地（samādhi）。又或者，婆罗门啊，三摩地亦可仅由亲近接触真实知者而生——彼等安住于湿婆为主宰（Pati），超越束缚众魂（Paśu）的系缚（pāśa）。

Word by Word

• ध्यानम् (dhyānam): meditation

• द्वादशकम् (dvādaśakam): a twelvefold set/measure

• यावत् (yāvat): up to, as long as

• समाधिः (samādhiḥ): absorptive concentration, yogic samadhi

• अभिधीयते (abhidhīyate): is declared, is defined

• अथवा (athavā): or else, alternatively

• ज्ञानिनाम् (jñāninām): of the knowers, realized ones

• विप्राः (viprāḥ): O brāhmaṇas, sages

• सम्पर्कात् (samparkāt): from association/contact

• एव (eva): indeed, alone

• जायते (jāyate): arises, is born.

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It equates sustained inner contemplation with samādhi and implies that true Liṅga-upāsanā is completed inwardly when the mind becomes absorbed in Śiva (Pati), especially through satsanga with realized devotees.

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

Śiva is implied as Pati—the liberating Lord—because samādhi (release-oriented absorption) is presented as arising when one contacts jñānins who abide in that highest Śiva-tattva beyond pāśa (bondage) of the pashu (individual soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Pāśupata-oriented dhyāna culminating in samādhi is highlighted, along with satsanga: association with jñānins is taught as a direct catalyst for yogic absorption.