Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 77
पूजाविधिः
Pūjā-vidhiḥ) — The Supreme Procedure of Worship (Morning Observances
शंकराय परेशाय शिवसंतोषहेतवे । अज्ञानाद्यदि वा ज्ञानाद्यद्यत्पूजादिकं मया
śaṃkarāya pareśāya śivasaṃtoṣahetave | ajñānādyadi vā jñānādyadyatpūjādikaṃ mayā
À Śaṅkara—le Seigneur suprême—dont la fin même est la joie de Śiva : quels que soient les actes de culte et autres que j’ai accomplis, par ignorance ou avec connaissance, qu’ils soient offerts à Lui.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana account to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: The verse functions as an ārpaṇa (dedicatory) formula: it sanctifies imperfect worship by offering it to the Supreme, emphasizing grace over mere technical perfection.
Mantra: शंकराय परेशाय शिवसंतोषहेतवे । अज्ञानाद्यदि वा ज्ञानाद्यद्यत्पूजादिकं मया
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches śaraṇāgati (devotional surrender): even imperfect worship—done with ignorance or knowledge—becomes spiritually fruitful when dedicated to Śiva, the Supreme Lord, seeking His satisfaction and grace.
In Saguna worship (such as Liṅga-pūjā), details may be incomplete or mistaken; this verse frames the entire pūjā as an offering to Śaṅkara, so the devotee’s intention and dedication to Śiva’s pleasure sanctify the act.
Conclude pūjā with an inner offering: mentally dedicate all upacāras (water, flowers, naivedya, lamps) to Śiva and seek forgiveness for errors—often done alongside japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya.”