Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 37
श्रद्धामाहात्म्यं तथा देवीप्रश्नः
The Greatness of Śraddhā and Devī’s Question to Śiva
योगज्ञः पतितो वापि मुच्यते नात्र संशयः । दया कार्याथ सततमहिंसा ज्ञानसंग्रहः । सत्यमस्तेयमास्तिक्यं श्रद्धा चेंद्रियनिग्रहः
yogajñaḥ patito vāpi mucyate nātra saṃśayaḥ | dayā kāryātha satatamahiṃsā jñānasaṃgrahaḥ | satyamasteyamāstikyaṃ śraddhā ceṃdriyanigrahaḥ
Même celui qui connaît le Yoga, fût-il tombé (dans sa conduite), est délivré : là-dessus, nul doute. Ainsi la compassion doit être pratiquée sans cesse ; l’ahimsā et la sauvegarde de la vraie connaissance doivent être maintenues, ainsi que la véracité, le non-vol, la foi en le Divin (āstikya), la confiance dévotionnelle (śraddhā) et la maîtrise des sens.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shaiva teachings as preserved in the Vayu Samhita discourse)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Significance: Stresses salvific efficacy of yoga-jñāna under Śiva’s lordship (Paśupati): even moral lapse is not final if true yogic knowing is present, while compassion and ahiṃsā are reaffirmed as supports.
FAQs
It teaches that true yogic knowledge oriented to Shiva can lead to liberation, yet it must be supported by Shaiva dharma—compassion, non-violence, truth, inner discipline, and right understanding—so the soul (pashu) becomes fit for Shiva’s grace (Pati-anugraha).
Linga worship is not merely external; it is meant to purify the worshipper through ethical restraints and inner control. These virtues make devotion to Saguna Shiva mature into steady contemplation, preparing the seeker for Shiva’s liberating grace.
Practice daily sense-restraint and compassion alongside Shaiva japa (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and let worship be grounded in ahiṃsā and satya; this aligns inner yoga with outer Shiva-puja.