Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 9
षडध्व-शुद्धिः
Purification of the Six Adhvans / Sixfold Cosmic Path
न वेत्ति तत्त्वतो यस्य नैवार्हत्यध्वशोधनम् । षड्विधस्याध्वनो रूपं न येन विदितं भवेत्
na vetti tattvato yasya naivārhatyadhvaśodhanam | ṣaḍvidhasyādhvano rūpaṃ na yena viditaṃ bhavet
One who does not know the reality of tattva is not at all fit to undertake the purification of the paths (adhva-śodhana). Nor is one qualified if the true form of the sixfold adḥvan has not been understood by him.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that higher Shaiva purification practices are not mechanical rites; they require tattva-jñāna—clear knowledge of reality—so that the soul (paśu) can be freed from bonds (pāśa) and oriented to Shiva (Pati).
Linga-worship is most fruitful when supported by right understanding: knowing Shiva as the supreme Pati and the principles (tattvas) that bind the soul. Without such insight, advanced purificatory disciplines are considered unfit, even if outer worship is performed.
The verse implies preparatory discipline: study of Shaiva tattvas, guru-guided contemplation, and mantra-japa (such as the Panchakshara) to gain clarity before attempting specialized ‘adhva-śodhana’ purifications.