Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 74
पूजाविधिः
Pūjā-vidhiḥ) — The Supreme Procedure of Worship (Morning Observances
गुरूपदिष्टमार्गेण कृत्वा मन्त्रमुदीरयेत् । यथासंख्यं यथाज्ञानं कुर्यान्मंत्रविधिन्नरः
gurūpadiṣṭamārgeṇa kṛtvā mantramudīrayet | yathāsaṃkhyaṃ yathājñānaṃ kuryānmaṃtravidhinnaraḥ
Suivant la voie enseignée par le Guru, après avoir accompli le rite prescrit, qu’on récite le mantra. L’homme doit accomplir la pratique du mantra selon le compte juste et selon sa compréhension, exactement comme l’ordonne la règle du mantra.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s worship-method to the sages of Naimisharanya within the Rudrasaṃhitā context)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that Shiva-mantra practice becomes truly effective when done through the Guru-taught method, with disciplined japa and correct observance of vidhi—aligning the devotee (paśu) to Shiva’s grace (Pati) for purification and liberation.
Mantra-japa is a core limb of Saguna Shiva worship (including Linga-pūjā): the verse emphasizes that recitation should be integrated with the proper ritual sequence and guidance, not treated as casual speech.
Perform the prescribed preparatory acts, then do mantra-japa with a fixed count (saṃkhyā) as taught by the Guru, maintaining fidelity to mantra-vidhi; it supports steady meditation on Shiva and disciplined daily practice.