Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 73
पूजाविधिः
Pūjā-vidhiḥ) — The Supreme Procedure of Worship (Morning Observances
यथासंख्यं यथाज्ञानं कुर्यान्मंत्रविधिन्नरः । गुरूपदिष्टमार्गेण कृत्वा मंत्रजपं सुधीः
yathāsaṃkhyaṃ yathājñānaṃ kuryānmaṃtravidhinnaraḥ | gurūpadiṣṭamārgeṇa kṛtvā maṃtrajapaṃ sudhīḥ
Que l’homme accomplisse la pratique du mantra selon la règle prescrite : selon le compte juste et selon sa compréhension. Le sage aspirant, après avoir fait le japa du mantra, qu’il chemine sur la voie enseignée par le Guru.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: General instruction on mantra-vidhi: correct count (saṅkhyā), competence (yathājñāna), and crucially the guru-upadiṣṭa-mārga—reflecting Śaiva emphasis on authorized transmission.
Significance: Affirms the Siddhānta principle that mantra bears fruit when received and practiced through proper lineage and discipline; guru-mediated practice leads toward Śiva’s liberating grace.
Type: panchakshara
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches that mantra-japa bears fruit when done with disciplined method (vidhi), appropriate repetition (saṅkhyā), and guided understanding (jñāna), ultimately grounded in the Guru’s instruction—linking practice to liberation-oriented Shaiva sādhanā.
In Saguna Shiva worship (such as Linga-pūjā), mantra-japa is the inner offering; the verse emphasizes that such worship should follow proper procedure and be aligned with the Guru’s transmitted tradition, making devotion effective and transformative.
It recommends mantra-japa performed with correct count and method as taught by one’s Guru—especially suitable for Shaiva disciplines like Panchākṣarī japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), often supported by steady meditation and purity of observance.