Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 53
पशु-पाश-पतिविचारः / Inquiry into Paśu, Pāśa, and Pati
गुणैरारभ्य कर्माणि स्वभावादीनि योजयेत् । तेषामभावे नाशः स्यात्कृतस्यापि च कर्मणः
guṇairārabhya karmāṇi svabhāvādīni yojayet | teṣāmabhāve nāśaḥ syātkṛtasyāpi ca karmaṇaḥ
Que l’on entreprenne les actes selon les guṇa et qu’on les relie à sa propre nature et aux dispositions qui s’y rattachent. Si ces appuis font défaut, même une action accomplie peut périr : son fruit se perd.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Vāyavīya teaching to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It teaches that the efficacy of karma depends on inner alignment—actions must be undertaken with awareness of one’s guna-condition and svabhava; otherwise, the act may not mature into its intended spiritual fruit. In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, unpurified gunas sustain pasha (bondage), while rightly ordered action supports purification and readiness for Shiva’s grace.
Linga-worship is an outer act that must be matched by an inner condition. If worship is performed while dominated by tamas (inertia) or agitated rajas (restlessness) without correction, the practice becomes unstable and its benefit diminishes; when aligned toward sattva—clarity, devotion, restraint—the same worship becomes a steady support for devotion and purification leading toward realization of Shiva.
A practical takeaway is to perform Shiva-puja and japa in a sattvic frame: begin with purification (snana, clean space, calm breath), apply bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) with remembrance of Shiva, and do Panchakshara japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") to steady the mind—so the action is aligned with one’s inner state and yields lasting fruit.