Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 11
त्रिपुरदीक्षाविधानम् — Tripura Dīkṣā: Prescriptive Procedure
Chapter on the Ordinance of Initiation
अपभ्रंशमयं शास्त्रं कर्मवादमयं तथा । रचयेति प्रयत्नेन तद्विस्तारो भविष्यति
apabhraṃśamayaṃ śāstraṃ karmavādamayaṃ tathā | racayeti prayatnena tadvistāro bhaviṣyati
«Compose un śāstra fait de langage déchu et, de même, saturé de la doctrine qui exalte la seule action rituelle ; fais-le avec effort — alors son influence s’étendra assurément au loin.»
Suta Goswami (narrating the Yuddhakhaṇḍa account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
It warns that teachings grounded in corrupted expression and mere ritualism can spread quickly, implying that true liberation in Shaiva thought requires right knowledge and Shiva-bhakti, not only external acts.
Linga/Saguna worship is meant to awaken devotion and inner purification; this verse cautions against reducing worship to mechanical karma alone, disconnected from reverence for Shiva as Pati (the liberating Lord).
The takeaway is to pair any ritual with Shiva-centered devotion and mantra-japa (especially the Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), avoiding hollow performance done only for karmic reward.