Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 66
अग्निकार्य-होमविधिः
Agnikārya and Homa Procedure
श्रद्दधानो न लोभेन न चण्डाय समर्पितम् । गन्धमाल्यादि यच्चान्यत्तत्राप्येष समो विधिः
śraddadhāno na lobhena na caṇḍāya samarpitam | gandhamālyādi yaccānyattatrāpyeṣa samo vidhiḥ
With faith—never out of greed, and never offered to a fierce and impure recipient—whatever other offerings there are, such as fragrances, garlands, and the rest, for those too this same rule of proper worship applies.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Vāyavīyasaṃhitā teachings to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Aghoramūrti
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that the efficacy of worship depends on śraddhā (faith) and purity of intention, not on greed or coercive temperament—aligning devotion with dharma so grace may arise.
In Liṅga/Saguṇa worship, external offerings like flowers and perfumes are valid only when offered with a pure devotional attitude; the same ethical rule applies to every upacāra (service) rendered to Shiva.
Offer gandha and mālya with steady faith and non-greed, maintaining inner cleanliness and a calm mind; let the offering be accompanied by remembrance of Shiva (e.g., japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) rather than desire for gain.