Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 87
द्वितीयतृतीयावरणपूजाक्रमः | The Sequence of the Second and Third Enclosure Worship (Āvaraṇa-pūjā)
विद्यापूजां गुरोः पूजां कृत्वा पश्चाद्यथाक्रमम् । यथोदयं यथाश्राद्धं सदस्यानपि पूजयेत्
vidyāpūjāṃ guroḥ pūjāṃ kṛtvā paścādyathākramam | yathodayaṃ yathāśrāddhaṃ sadasyānapi pūjayet
بعد أن يُؤدَّى أولًا عبادةُ الفِدْيا، أي المعرفة المقدّسة، ثم عبادةُ الغورو على الترتيب اللائق، ينبغي بعد ذلك أيضًا إكرامُ الحاضرين المجتمعين، كلٌّ بحسب منزلته، وبأسلوب يليق بطقس الشرادها (śrāddha).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Sthala Purana: Not a site-specific passage; it lays down the etiquette (krama) of honoring vidyā, guru, and the ritual assembly as part of Śaiva yāga/pujā completion.
Significance: Emphasizes that right conduct toward guru/learned assembly is itself a limb of worship, supporting purity (śuddhi) and eligibility (adhikāra) for Śiva’s grace.
Role: teaching
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It teaches that Shaiva worship is not merely an offering to Shiva, but a disciplined dharmic act: reverence for śāstra (vidyā), devotion to the guru, and respectful honouring of the community—purifying ego and aligning the worshipper with right order (krama).
Linga-worship is upheld through correct procedure and inner humility; honouring knowledge and the guru safeguards the mantra, vidhi, and meaning of the rite, while honouring the assembly reflects Shiva’s presence in devotees and upholds the sanctity of Saguna Shiva worship performed in a gathering.
It suggests a puja-sequence: begin with vidyā-pūjā, then guru-pūjā, and conclude by offering appropriate respect/offerings to participants as per dharma—supporting a sattvic, orderly worship atmosphere (especially in vrata and festival observances).