प्रणवार्थ-शिवतत्त्व-निर्णयः
The Determination of Śiva as the Meaning of Praṇava
लब्धानुज्ञस्तु गुरुणा द्वादशाहं पयोव्रती । शुक्लपक्षे चतुर्थ्यां वा दशम्यां वा विधानतः
labdhānujñastu guruṇā dvādaśāhaṃ payovratī | śuklapakṣe caturthyāṃ vā daśamyāṃ vā vidhānataḥ
Ayant obtenu l’autorisation de son guru, qu’il observe pendant douze jours le vœu du lait, selon la règle—au quatrième ou au dixième jour lunaire, durant la quinzaine claire.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Role: nurturing
Offering: naivedya
It emphasizes that Shaiva practice is not merely personal preference but a disciplined sādhana done under the guru’s sanction, using regulated vows (vrata) to purify the devotee for Shiva-realization.
A payovrata is a preparatory observance that refines body and mind, making the devotee fit for ritual approach to Saguna Shiva—especially Linga worship—where purity, timing, and correct procedure are central.
A twelve-day payovrata (subsisting on milk) begun in the bright fortnight, specifically aligned to Chaturthi or Dashami, undertaken with the guru’s permission and adherence to prescribed rules.