Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 66
मङ्गलाचरणम्, तीर्थ-परिसरः, सूतागमनम् — Invocation, Sacred Setting, and the Arrival of Sūta
नावेदविदुषे वाच्यमिदं शास्त्रमनुत्तमम् । न चैवाश्रद्धधानाय नापुराणविदे तथा
nāvedaviduṣe vācyamidaṃ śāstramanuttamam | na caivāśraddhadhānāya nāpurāṇavide tathā
Diese unvergleichliche Schrift soll nicht einem gelehrt werden, der die Veden nicht kennt; ebenso wenig einem, der ohne Glauben ist, noch auch einem, der in den Purāṇas nicht bewandert ist.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches adhikāra (spiritual eligibility): the highest Shaiva teaching is to be transmitted to those grounded in śraddhā and scriptural understanding, so that the doctrine leads to purification, right devotion, and liberation rather than doubt or misuse.
Linga and Saguna-Shiva worship in the Purāṇa is not mere outer ritual; it requires faith and correct understanding supported by Veda–Purāṇa harmony. Without śraddhā and scriptural orientation, the symbols and rites lose their Shaiva Siddhanta intent of approaching Pati (Shiva) and loosening pāśa (bondage).
The implied practice is disciplined śravaṇa (reverent listening) and adhyayana (study) with faith—approaching Shiva-kathā through a qualified teacher, supported by Vedic-Purāṇic understanding—before taking up deeper mantra, Linga-pūjā, or yoga instructions.