Shloka 88
बन्धमोक्षवर्णनम्
Bondage and Liberation: The Prakṛti–Karma Wheel and Śiva as the Transcendent Cause
करोत्येव हि पूतात्मा प्राणैरपि धनैरपि । तस्माद्वै शासने योग्यः शिष्य इत्यभिधीयते
karotyeva hi pūtātmā prāṇairapi dhanairapi | tasmādvai śāsane yogyaḥ śiṣya ityabhidhīyate
Indeed, the purified-souled one acts (in service of the Guru and the sacred teaching) even with his very life-breath and even with his wealth. Therefore he is truly called a “disciple” (śiṣya)—one who is fit to be guided, corrected, and trained in the Guru’s discipline.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
FAQs
It defines śiṣyatva (true discipleship) as purified intent expressed through total commitment—offering even life and wealth for the sake of dharma and the Guru’s Shaiva teaching, which ripens the soul for Shiva’s grace.
Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is not merely external ritual; it requires inner purity and obedience to the Guru’s śāsana. Such disciplined devotion makes Saguna Shiva worship transformative and leads toward realization of Shiva as the supreme Pati.
The takeaway is disciplined Guru-guided sadhana: steady daily worship and japa (especially the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), supported by sincere service and ethical restraint; specific items like rudraksha or bhasma are implied as part of orthodox Shaiva observance when taught by the Guru.