आचार्य-धर्मलक्षण-श्रद्धाभक्तिप्राधान्यं तथा लिङ्गे ध्यान-पूजाविधानसंकेतः
Adhyaya 10
श्रौतस्मार्तस्य धर्मस्य ज्ञानाद्धर्मज्ञ उच्यते विद्यायाः साधनात्साधुब्रह्मचारी गुरोर्हितः
śrautasmārtasya dharmasya jñānāddharmajña ucyate vidyāyāḥ sādhanātsādhubrahmacārī gurorhitaḥ
On est dit connaisseur du dharma lorsqu’on comprend les devoirs enseignés par la Śruti et la Smṛti. Par la poursuite disciplinée du savoir sacré, le brahmacārin devient un sādhū, un homme de vertu qui agit pour le bien du Guru. Par cette conduite juste, le paśu (l’âme individuelle) est préparé à recevoir la grâce de Śiva, l’anugraha du Pati.
Suta Goswami (narrating Linga Purana teachings to the sages of Naimisharanya)
It defines eligibility: knowledge of Śruti–Smṛti dharma and disciplined brahmacarya under a guru purify the seeker, making the pashu fit for Shiva’s grace and for correct Shaiva worship.
Implicitly, Shiva is Pati who bestows anugraha; the soul’s approach to Shiva-tattva requires dharmic alignment and purification through right knowledge and conduct.
Brahmacarya with guru-sevā and vidyā-sādhana—foundational discipline that supports Pāśupata-oriented purification before higher Shaiva sādhanā and pujā.