Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 76
पाशुपतव्रतविधिः | The Procedure of the Supreme Pāśupata Vow
फाल्गुणे चन्द्रकान्तोत्थं चैत्रे तद्व्यत्ययो ऽथवा । सर्वमासेषु रत्नानामलाभे हैममेव वा
phālguṇe candrakāntotthaṃ caitre tadvyatyayo 'thavā | sarvamāseṣu ratnānāmalābhe haimameva vā
Au mois de Phālguna, qu’on emploie ce qui provient de la candrakānta (pierre de lune) ; au mois de Chaitra, l’inverse peut aussi être pratiqué. En tous les mois, si les gemmes sont introuvables, qu’on utilise simplement l’or seul.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Highlights Śiva’s accessibility: when ideal dravya is unavailable, substitution (gold) preserves the intent (bhāva) and continuity of worship—an anugraha-oriented ritual ethic.
Cosmic Event: Phālguna–Caitra transition (end of one annual cycle into the next), with allowance for ‘vyatyaya’ (reversal) indicating flexible ritual mapping.
FAQs
It emphasizes that Shiva worship is adaptable: when ideal or prescribed materials are unavailable, devotion can still be made complete through permissible substitutes, showing that bhakti and right intention are primary while materials are supportive.
It concerns practical rules for offerings or ritual implements used in Saguna Shiva worship through the Linga, indicating that the worshipper may follow month-based conventions yet maintain the continuity of Linga-puja even with simpler, acceptable materials like gold.
A takeaway is to keep Shiva-puja regular and unbroken: if special gems or substances are not available, offer an approved substitute and continue japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with steady concentration.