Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 18
पाशुपतव्रतविधिः | The Procedure of the Supreme Pāśupata Vow
दिने तस्मिन्निराहारः कालं शेषं समापयेत् । प्रातः पर्वणि चाप्येवं कृत्वा होमा वसानतः
dine tasminnirāhāraḥ kālaṃ śeṣaṃ samāpayet | prātaḥ parvaṇi cāpyevaṃ kṛtvā homā vasānataḥ
On that day, remaining without food, one should pass the rest of the time in disciplined observance. Likewise, on the following morning at the sacred juncture (parvan), having done so, one should conclude by performing the homa (oblatory fire-offering) with proper completion rites.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
The verse teaches that self-restraint (fasting) and steady observance purify the bound soul (paśu) and prepare it for Shiva-oriented worship; the concluding homa seals the vrata as an offering of one’s actions to Pati (Lord Shiva).
Fasting and parvan-time worship are traditional supports for Saguna Shiva upāsanā—approaching Shiva through ritual form (including Linga worship) with purity, timing, and completion through homa as a devotional act.
A vrata-style fast for the day, maintaining disciplined conduct, and then performing a morning parvan observance culminating in homa (fire-offering) as the formal completion of the practice.
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