Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 62

योगप्रकारनिर्णयः

Classification and Definition of Yoga

Devanagari script

स्वरूपशून्यवद्भानं समाधिरभिधीयते । ध्येये मनः समावेश्य पश्येदपि च सुस्थिरम्

Transliteration

svarūpaśūnyavadbhānaṃ samādhirabhidhīyate | dhyeye manaḥ samāveśya paśyedapi ca susthiram

Translation

当觉知之光显现，宛如离一切形相，此境名为三摩地。将心完全安置于所观之境，应以不动摇的稳固而观照之。

Word by Word

• sva-rūpa-śūnya-vat-bhānam: an appearance as if devoid of own form
• sva-rūpa-śūnya-vat-bhānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + rūpa (प्रातिपदिक) + śūnya (प्रातिपदिक) + vat (वत्) + bhāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Determinative compound (तत्पुरुष-समास; ‘appearance as if empty of own form’); Neuter, Nominative/Accusative (1st/2nd), Singular

• samādhiḥ: samādhi
• samādhiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: samādhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• abhidhīyate: is called/defined
• abhidhīyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-√dhā (धा धातु)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), 3rd person, Singular; Passive voice (कर्मणि प्रयोग), Ātmanepada

• dhyeye: in the object of meditation
• dhyeye: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhyeya (√dhyai धातु + यत्)
• Form: Gerundive/obligatory participle used as noun (यत्-कृदन्त); Neuter, Locative (7th), Singular

• manaḥ: the mind
• manaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manas (मनस् प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• samāveśya: having fixed/immersed
• samāveśya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sam-ā-√viś (विश् धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/gerund (क्त्वा/ल्यप्—त्वान्त); expresses prior action

• paśyet: should see
• paśyet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dṛś (दृश् धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person, Singular; parasmaipada

• api: also/even
• api: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Indeclinable particle (अपि)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Indeclinable conjunction (समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय)

• su-sthiram: very steady
• su-sthiram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + sthira (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya (उपपद-विशेषण: ‘very steady’); Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular; qualifies an implied object/state

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It defines samādhi as the absorption where awareness is free from grasping forms, pointing to the Shaiva goal of inner stillness in which the soul (paśu) loosens the bonds (pāśa) and turns toward Shiva (Pati).

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

The mind may begin with a saguna support such as the Śiva-liṅga or a chosen form of Shiva, but the verse emphasizes the culmination: unwavering contemplation that becomes form-transcending, leading toward nirguṇa realization without denying the value of devotional supports.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It recommends dhyāna leading to samādhi: choose a dhyeya (often Shiva/Śiva-liṅga), fix the mind steadily, and maintain unbroken attention; supportive Shaiva aids can include japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and disciplined stillness.