Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 37
ध्यानप्रकारनिर्णयः / Determination of the Modes of Meditation
on Śrīkaṇṭha-Śiva
योगिनामन्नदानेन तत्समस्तं फलं लभेत् । ये चापवादं कुर्वंति विमूढाश्शिवयोगिनाम्
yogināmannadānena tatsamastaṃ phalaṃ labhet | ye cāpavādaṃ kurvaṃti vimūḍhāśśivayoginām
By offering food to the yogins of Śiva, one gains the entire fruit of that sacred merit. But those utterly deluded who speak in disparagement of Śiva’s yogins incur demerit and fall away from right understanding.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Role: nurturing
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It teaches that service to Śiva’s realized devotees—especially feeding them (annadāna)—yields complete spiritual merit, while criticizing them is a serious offense that obstructs grace and right knowledge.
In Śaiva devotion, honoring Śiva’s devotees is treated as honoring Śiva Himself; thus, service like annadāna complements external Linga worship by cultivating humility, devotion, and reverence for those established in Śiva-yoga.
The practical takeaway is annadāna—feeding Śaiva ascetics/devotees with respect—along with avoiding aparādha (slander). This can be paired with daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) as an attitude of seva and devotion.