Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 83
मन्त्रसिद्धिः, प्रतिबन्धनिरासः, श्रद्धा-नियमाः
Mantra Efficacy, Removal of Obstacles, and the Role of Faith/Discipline
आपन्नो ऽपि गतारिष्टः स्वयं खल्वमृतायते । रसाय नायते नित्यमपथ्यमपि सेवितम्
āpanno 'pi gatāriṣṭaḥ svayaṃ khalvamṛtāyate | rasāya nāyate nityamapathyamapi sevitam
حتى إذا وقع المرء في الشدة تحرّر من الخطر؛ فإن ذلك بذاته يصير رحيقًا كالأمريتة. أمّا ما كان غير صالح، فمهما دُووم على تناوله لا يصير رَسَايَنًا، إكسيرًا مُحييًا.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Not a sthala-purāṇa passage; it uses an āyurvedic/alchemical metaphor (amṛta/rasāyana) to contrast wholesome Śiva-bhakti/vrata with intrinsically unwholesome conduct that never becomes purifying.
Significance: General teaching: sincere Śiva-oriented observance can transmute distress into safety (ariṣṭa-nivṛtti) and spiritual vitality; unwholesome habits do not become saving merely by repetition.
FAQs
It teaches discernment (viveka): Shiva’s path purifies even a distressed seeker, but intrinsically harmful conduct (apathya)—adharmic habits and impure associations—cannot become spiritually life-giving merely through repetition.
In Shaiva Siddhanta, turning to Saguna Shiva through Linga-worship transforms the devotee’s condition—fear and impurity are removed—whereas actions opposed to dharma do not become sanctified just because they are habitual.
Adopt what is ‘pathya’ for Shiva-bhakti: steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), worship of the Linga with purity, and disciplined living; avoid ‘apathya’ habits that obstruct yoga and devotion.