Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 14
शिवसंस्कार-दीक्षानिरूपणम् (Śivasaṃskāra and the Typology of Dīkṣā)
तस्माल्लिंगानि संवीक्ष्य शक्तिपातस्य भूयसः । ज्ञानेन क्रियया वाथ गुरुश्शिष्यं विशोधयेत्
tasmālliṃgāni saṃvīkṣya śaktipātasya bhūyasaḥ | jñānena kriyayā vātha guruśśiṣyaṃ viśodhayet
Ainsi, après avoir observé avec soin les signes d’une puissante descente de la grâce divine (śaktipāta), le Guru doit purifier le disciple, soit en lui transmettant la connaissance véritable, soit par la pratique spirituelle prescrite et la discipline rituelle.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches that spiritual progress depends on śaktipāta (divine grace) and that a competent Guru must assess the disciple’s readiness and then purify them through right knowledge (jñāna) and/or disciplined practice (kriyā), aligning the soul toward Shiva-realization.
In Shaiva practice, Linga-worship and other saguna disciplines are effective when guided by a Guru and supported by grace; the verse emphasizes that the Guru prepares the disciple—through understanding and proper observances—so Linga-upāsanā becomes purifying rather than merely external.
It points to kriyā under a Guru’s guidance—such as regulated Shiva-pūjā (including Linga worship), mantra-japa (e.g., Panchakshara), and yogic discipline—combined with jñāna, the inner understanding that these practices culminate in devotion and liberation through Shiva’s grace.