Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 141
Adhyaya 71: पुरत्रयवृत्तान्तः—ब्रह्मवरदानम्, मयकृतत्रिपुर-निर्माणम्, विष्णुमाया-धर्मविघ्नः, शिवस्तुति, त्रिपुरदाहोपक्रमः
अभाग्यान्न समाप्तं तु कार्यमित्यपरे द्विजाः प्रोचुर्नमः शिवायेति पूज्य चाल्पतरं हृदि
abhāgyānna samāptaṃ tu kāryamityapare dvijāḥ procurnamaḥ śivāyeti pūjya cālpataraṃ hṛdi
Other twice-born ones said, “Because of misfortune, the rite has not been completed.” Yet, holding a little reverence within the heart, they still uttered, “Namah Śivāya,” and worshipped Him—affirming that when outer acts fail, even a small inner bhakti to Pati can steady the pashu bound by pasha.
Suta Goswami (narrating the conduct/utterance of the dvijas within the story)
FAQs
It emphasizes that even if external ritual activity is obstructed, sincere remembrance and the mantra “namaḥ śivāya” function as valid worship, preserving the devotee’s link to Pati (Śiva) and sustaining the puja’s spiritual intent.
Śiva is approached as Pati—the Lord who accepts even minimal, inner-hearted reverence. His grace is not limited by ritual completion but responds to authentic devotion and surrender.
Nama-smarana (mantra remembrance) and manasika-puja (mental worship): when outer karma-kāṇḍa is incomplete, inner japa and heartfelt reverence become the stabilizing practice aligned with Shaiva sādhanā.