Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 49
अनुग्रह-स्वातन्त्र्य-प्रमाणविचारः | Inquiry into Pramāṇa, Divine Autonomy, and Grace
मैत्र्यादयो गुणा गौणास्तस्मात्ते भिन्नवृत्तयः । तैर्गुणैरुपरक्तानां दोषाय च गुणाय च
maitryādayo guṇā gauṇāstasmātte bhinnavṛttayaḥ | tairguṇairuparaktānāṃ doṣāya ca guṇāya ca
Las virtudes como la amistad y las demás son cualidades secundarias (gauna); por eso, sus modos de operar son distintos. En quienes la mente queda teñida por tales cualidades, esas mismas cualidades pueden volverse defecto o mérito.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Vāyavīyasaṃhitā teaching to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches discernment: even noble traits like friendliness become spiritually fruitful only when guided by right knowledge and offered to Pati (Shiva); otherwise, attachment to “being virtuous” can turn into bondage.
Linga/Saguna worship purifies intention—virtues are no longer practiced for ego, praise, or partiality, but as service to Shiva—so the same qualities become liberating rather than binding.
Practice japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with steady awareness and offer all “good qualities” at Shiva’s feet; this reduces attachment and converts virtue into a means toward moksha.