Shloka 43

अध्याय 91: अरिष्ट-लक्षण, मृत्यु-संस्कार, पाशुपत-धारणा तथा ओङ्कार-उपासना

Devanagari script

द्वादशाध्यात्ममित्येवं योगधारणमुच्यते शतमर्धशतं वापि धारणां मूर्ध्नि धारयेत्

Transliteration

dvādaśādhyātmamityevaṃ yogadhāraṇamucyate śatamardhaśataṃ vāpi dhāraṇāṃ mūrdhni dhārayet

Translation

如是，此名依十二种内修（adhyātma）之瑜伽持念（dhāraṇā）。当于顶轮、头顶之冠处安住此定，或数满一百，或五十亦可，令心系于彼处，恒常摄持不动。

Word by Word

• द्वादश (dvādaśa): twelvefold

• अध्यात्मम् (adhyātmam): pertaining to the inner Self/spiritual interiority

• इति (iti): thus

• एवम् (evam): in this manner

• योग-धारणम् (yoga-dhāraṇam): yogic concentration/retentive fixation

• उच्यते (ucyate): is said/called

• शतम् (śatam): one hundred

• अर्ध-शतम् (ardha-śatam): fifty

• वा अपि (vā api): or even

• धारणाम् (dhāraṇām): the act/state of concentration

• मूर्ध्नि (mūrdhni): at the crown/top of the head

• धारयेत् (dhārayet): one should hold/sustain.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s yogic teaching within the Linga Purana’s discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-oriented Shaiva practice as inseparable from inner yogic steadiness: dhāraṇā refines the pashu’s awareness so it may turn toward Pati (Shiva) beyond outer ritual.

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

By directing concentration to the crown and emphasizing adhyātma, it implies Shiva-tattva as the highest interior reality—accessed through inward fixation that loosens pāśa (bondage) and clarifies consciousness.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A dhāraṇā practice: holding the mind steadily at the crown (mūrdhan) for a measured duration (50 or 100 counts), aligning with Pāśupata-style internal discipline.