Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 84
पाशुपतव्रतविधिः | The Procedure of the Supreme Pāśupata Vow
यः कृत्वात्यंतिकीं दीक्षामादेहान्तमनाकुलः । व्रतमेतत्प्रकुर्वीत स तु वै नैष्ठिकः स्मृतः
yaḥ kṛtvātyaṃtikīṃ dīkṣāmādehāntamanākulaḥ | vratametatprakurvīta sa tu vai naiṣṭhikaḥ smṛtaḥ
Celui qui, ayant reçu l’initiation suprême (ultime), demeure ferme et sans trouble jusqu’au terme de sa vie et accomplit fidèlement cette observance—celui-là est, en vérité, rappelé comme Naiṣṭhika, établi dans la discipline de toute une vie.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Frames dīkṣā and lifelong niṣṭhā as the soteriological core; the ‘end of the body’ (ādehānta) emphasis aligns with pilgrimage-as-vrata mentality though no specific sthala is invoked.
FAQs
It defines the ideal Shaiva practitioner as one who, after receiving dīkṣā, maintains unwavering steadiness and completes the prescribed vrata throughout life—showing that liberation is supported by sustained discipline, not momentary enthusiasm.
In Shaiva practice, dīkṣā authorizes and deepens regular worship (pūjā, japa, and observances) directed to Saguna Shiva as the Linga; the verse emphasizes continuity of that worship until life’s end as the mark of true establishment (naiṣṭhikya).
It points to a lifelong vrata maintained after dīkṣā—typically including daily Shiva-japa (often the Panchakshara), steady pūjā, and disciplined conduct; the key instruction is unwavering, undistracted perseverance.