Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 69
शिवसंस्कार-दीक्षानिरूपणम् (Śivasaṃskāra and the Typology of Dīkṣā)
कृतकृत्या ऽभवत्पूर्वं तपसाराध्य शङ्करम् । यथा नारायणं देवं तपसाराध्य पांडवान्
kṛtakṛtyā 'bhavatpūrvaṃ tapasārādhya śaṅkaram | yathā nārāyaṇaṃ devaṃ tapasārādhya pāṃḍavān
Auparavant, elle accomplit pleinement son dessein en adorant Śaṅkara par l’austérité; de même que le dieu Nārāyaṇa, par l’austérité, fut apaisé et vint en aide aux Pāṇḍava.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Significance: Establishes tapas (austerity) as a valid means of Śiva-prasāda (grace) and siddhi; encourages devotees that Śaṅkara responds to disciplined worship just as other deities do.
FAQs
The verse teaches that true “success” (kṛtakṛtyatā) arises when one propitiates Pati—Śiva—through disciplined tapas joined with devotion; fulfillment is not merely worldly gain but the ripening of the soul toward Shiva’s grace.
It points to Saguna worship—approaching Śaṅkara as the gracious Lord who responds to sincere austerity and devotion. In practice, such tapas is commonly anchored in Linga-upāsanā with japa (e.g., the Panchākṣarī) and steady observances.
Tapas-oriented worship: daily japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” simple vrata/fasting (especially on Mondays or Mahāśivarātri), and meditative concentration on Śiva—supported by traditional aids like bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa where appropriate.