Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 2
काम्यकर्मविभागः — Taxonomy of Kāmya (Desire-Motivated) Śaiva Rites
इदानीं श्रोतुमिच्छामि शिवधर्माधिकारिणाम् । काम्यमप्यस्ति चेत्कर्म वक्तुमर्हसि साम्प्रतम्
idānīṃ śrotumicchāmi śivadharmādhikāriṇām | kāmyamapyasti cetkarma vaktumarhasi sāmpratam
Now I wish to hear about those who are qualified for the dharma of Śiva. If there are also desire-motivated rites (kāmya-karmas) prescribed for them, please explain them at this very time.
A sage-disciple (listener) addressing the narrator/teacher in the Vāyavīya discourse (traditionally within Sūta’s narration to the Naimiṣāraṇya sages).
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Role: teaching
FAQs
It frames Śiva-dharma as a disciplined path requiring adhikāra (inner readiness), and it asks how ritual action—whether for liberation or for specific outcomes—fits within devotion to Śiva.
By asking about eligibility and prescribed actions, it points to regulated Saguna worship—such as Liṅga-pūjā—where practices are tailored to the practitioner’s capacity and intention, gradually refining desire toward Śiva-centered devotion.
The verse itself requests instruction rather than naming a rite, but in Śaiva contexts it typically leads into guidance on Śiva-pūjā, mantra-japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī), and supportive observances like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa according to one’s adhikāra.