Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 17
शैवधर्मप्रशंसा तथा पञ्चविधसाधनविभागः / Praise of Śaiva Dharma and the Fivefold Classification of Practice
तत्रोक्तः परमो धर्मश्चर्याद्यात्मा चतुर्विधः । तेषु पाशुपतो योगः शिवं प्रत्यक्षयेद्दृढम्
tatroktaḥ paramo dharmaścaryādyātmā caturvidhaḥ | teṣu pāśupato yogaḥ śivaṃ pratyakṣayeddṛḍham
Là, le dharma suprême fut enseigné comme étant de nature quadruple, à commencer par la conduite sacrée (caryā). Parmi eux, le Yoga Pāśupata accorde fermement la réalisation directe (pratyakṣa) de Śiva.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Role: teaching
FAQs
It presents the Shaiva path as a structured fourfold discipline (beginning with caryā) and highlights Pāśupata Yoga as the most direct means to steadfastly realize Śiva as the supreme Pati who liberates the bound soul (paśu) from pasha (bondage).
By emphasizing a practical path beginning with caryā, it supports disciplined worship and service—often expressed as reverent Linga-upāsanā—through which the devotee’s mind becomes purified and capable of direct Śiva-realization.
It points to adopting Pāśupata-style Shaiva discipline: steady yoga supported by Shaiva conduct and worship—commonly including mantra-japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī), and traditional Shaiva observances like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa as aids to steadfastness.