शैवधर्मप्रशंसा तथा पञ्चविधसाधनविभागः / Praise of Śaiva Dharma and the Fivefold Classification of Practice
यथास्वं क्रमशश्छित्वा शोधयित्वा यथागुणम् । गुणितैरेव सोद्धातैरनिरुद्धैरथापि वा
yathāsvaṃ kramaśaśchitvā śodhayitvā yathāguṇam | guṇitaireva soddhātairaniruddhairathāpi vā
Having cut them in due order according to their respective measure, and having purified them according to their proper quality, one should then extract the essence by the appropriate multipliers and correct divisors—whether fixed (regulated) or even unfixed (as required).
Suta Goswami (narrating the Vāyavīyasaṃhitā discourse to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
It emphasizes disciplined, sequential refinement: spiritual progress is not random, but proceeds through correct division of distractions, purification of qualities (guṇas), and precise inner “reckoning” that leads the bound soul (paśu) toward Shiva (Pati).
It supports Saguna worship as a regulated method: through orderly practice—mantra, pūjā, and purification—one refines the mind and guṇas, making the devotee fit to realize Shiva beyond form while still approaching Him through the Linga as a sacred support.
A step-by-step sādhana: purifying conduct and mind, then applying steady measures such as japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) with purity, and focused meditation—adjusted as needed but always grounded in śodhana (inner cleansing).