Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 21
शिवाचार्याभिषेकविधिः / Rite of Consecrating a Śiva-Teacher (Śivācārya Abhiṣeka)
युगपद्वाथ संस्कारान्कुर्वीत सगणो गुरुः । तत्र यत्र द्वयं वापि प्रयोगस्योपदिश्यते
yugapadvātha saṃskārānkurvīta sagaṇo guruḥ | tatra yatra dvayaṃ vāpi prayogasyopadiśyate
Dann soll der Guru—zusammen mit seinen Helfern—die vorgeschriebenen Saṃskāras vollziehen, entweder alle zugleich oder in der gelehrten Weise. Wo immer das Ritualverfahren zwei Alternativen lehrt, soll er entsprechend handeln.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
It emphasizes disciplined transmission: liberation-oriented Shaiva practice should be carried out under a competent Guru, following the prescribed procedure without arbitrariness—purity of method supports purity of intent.
Linga-worship involves specific saṃskāras (consecrations and ritual steps). The verse highlights that when the tradition gives two valid options in the prayoga, the Guru chooses and applies them correctly, ensuring Saguna Shiva worship is performed in an authorized way.
It points to performing prescribed saṃskāras under the Guru’s guidance—such as preparatory purifications and ordered ritual steps; when alternate methods are taught, follow the instructed option rather than improvising.