Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 32
नैमित्तिकविधिक्रमः
Occasional Rites and Their Procedure
शिवधर्मे मतिं कुर्याच्छ्रेयसे चेत्कृतोद्यमः । नात्र निर्बंधयिष्यामो वयं केचन केनचित्
śivadharme matiṃ kuryācchreyase cetkṛtodyamaḥ | nātra nirbaṃdhayiṣyāmo vayaṃ kecana kenacit
যে ব্যক্তি মঙ্গললাভের জন্য উদ্যোগী, সে শিবধর্মে মন স্থাপন করুক। এ বিষয়ে আমরা কারও ওপর কোনো প্রকার বাধ্যবাধকতা আরোপ করি না।
Suta Goswami (narrating the Vāyavīya discourse to the sages, emphasizing voluntary entry into Śiva-dharma)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Significance: Stresses voluntary commitment: one should place the mind in Śiva-dharma for śreyas; pilgrimage and vrata are meaningful when freely embraced, not coerced.
Role: teaching
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that the highest good (śreyas) arises when an aspirant willingly turns the mind toward Śiva-dharma; the path is entered through inner resolve and sincere effort, not coercion—aligning with Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis on disciplined practice and grace.
By stressing voluntary commitment, it frames Linga/Saguna worship as a chosen sādhana: the devotee freely adopts Śiva-oriented conduct, mantra, and worship, which purify the bonds (pāśa) and lead the soul (paśu) toward the Lord (Pati).
The practical takeaway is to deliberately “set the mind on Śiva-dharma”: take up regular japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), daily Linga-pūjā with bhasma and rudrākṣa where appropriate, and steady meditation—done by personal resolve rather than social pressure.