Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 74
पूजाविधिः
Pūjā-vidhiḥ) — The Supreme Procedure of Worship (Morning Observances
गुरूपदिष्टमार्गेण कृत्वा मन्त्रमुदीरयेत् । यथासंख्यं यथाज्ञानं कुर्यान्मंत्रविधिन्नरः
gurūpadiṣṭamārgeṇa kṛtvā mantramudīrayet | yathāsaṃkhyaṃ yathājñānaṃ kuryānmaṃtravidhinnaraḥ
باتّباع الطريق الذي لقّنه الغورو، وبعد إتمام الإجراء المقرّر، ينبغي تلاوة المانترا. وعلى الإنسان أن يجري شعيرة المانترا بحسب العدد الصحيح وبحسب فهمه، كما تقضي به طريقة المانترا نفسها.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s worship-method to the sages of Naimisharanya within the Rudrasaṃhitā context)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that Shiva-mantra practice becomes truly effective when done through the Guru-taught method, with disciplined japa and correct observance of vidhi—aligning the devotee (paśu) to Shiva’s grace (Pati) for purification and liberation.
Mantra-japa is a core limb of Saguna Shiva worship (including Linga-pūjā): the verse emphasizes that recitation should be integrated with the proper ritual sequence and guidance, not treated as casual speech.
Perform the prescribed preparatory acts, then do mantra-japa with a fixed count (saṃkhyā) as taught by the Guru, maintaining fidelity to mantra-vidhi; it supports steady meditation on Shiva and disciplined daily practice.