Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 15
मन्त्रसिद्ध्यर्थं गुरुपूजा–आज्ञा–पौरश्चर्यविधिः / Guru-Authorization, Offerings, and Puraścaraṇa for Mantra-Siddhi
शिवं चास्तु शुभं चास्तु शोभनो ऽस्तु प्रियो ऽस्त्विति । एवं दद्याद्गुरुर्मंत्रमाज्ञां चैव ततः परम् । एवं लब्ध्वा गुरोर्मंत्रमाज्ञां चैव समाहितः । संकल्प्य च जपेन्नित्यं पुरश्चरणपूर्वकम्
śivaṃ cāstu śubhaṃ cāstu śobhano 'stu priyo 'stviti | evaṃ dadyādgururmaṃtramājñāṃ caiva tataḥ param | evaṃ labdhvā gurormaṃtramājñāṃ caiva samāhitaḥ | saṃkalpya ca japennityaṃ puraścaraṇapūrvakam
“May it be Shiva; may it be auspicious; may it be splendid; may it be dear”—saying thus, the Guru should bestow the mantra and then give the disciple his authoritative instruction. Having thus received the mantra and the Guru’s command, the aspirant—collected in mind—should make a solemn resolve and recite it daily, beginning with the prescribed disciplines of puraścaraṇa. In this way, through regulated japa under the Guru’s guidance, the bound soul (paśu) is led toward Shiva, the Lord (Pati), who grants purity and liberation.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shaiva discipline as taught in the Vāyavīyasaṃhitā tradition)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Type: panchakshara
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches that mantra-japa becomes spiritually effective when received through the Guru with explicit authorization (ājñā) and practiced with steadiness (samāhita) and a clear vow (saṅkalpa). In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, disciplined japa under right guidance helps loosen pāśa (bondage) and turns the paśu (individual soul) toward Pati (Śiva).
The verse frames Shiva-worship as a Guru-transmitted mantra-path: the devotee approaches Saguna Shiva (often worshipped as the Linga) through mantra, purity, and regulated practice. The auspicious invocations (“śivaṃ…śubhaṃ…”) align the worshipper’s intention with Shiva’s grace, which is commonly sought in Linga-upāsanā alongside japa.
Daily mantra-japa preceded by puraścaraṇa observances—i.e., a structured regimen for mantra-siddhi—done after taking saṅkalpa and following the Guru’s instructions. This implies steady repetition, purity disciplines, and a regulated devotional routine consistent with Shaiva practice.