Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 13
नैमित्तिकविधिक्रमः
Occasional Rites and Their Procedure
अशक्तस्तेषु कालेषु कुर्यादुत्सवमेव वा । आस्थानं वा महापूजामधिकं वा समर्चनम्
aśaktasteṣu kāleṣu kuryādutsavameva vā | āsthānaṃ vā mahāpūjāmadhikaṃ vā samarcanam
Si, en ces temps-là, l’on est incapable d’accomplir le culte prescrit, qu’on organise à la place une fête (utsava) ; ou qu’on tienne une séance rituelle solennelle (āsthāna) ; ou qu’on accomplisse une grande pūjā ; ou qu’on offre une adoration encore plus abondante et fervente.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Affirms that when one cannot meet strict ritual timings, alternative Śiva-centered observances (utsava/mahāpūjā) still generate puṇya and keep the sādhaka aligned with Śiva-dharma; emphasizes accessibility of worship for householders and the infirm.
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that when strict observance at prescribed times is not possible, sincere devotion can be upheld through alternate, fuller expressions of worship—festival, formal worship-session, great pūjā, or intensified archana—so that bhakti to Pati (Shiva) remains continuous in spirit.
The verse supports Saguna upāsanā by allowing expanded external worship—utsava, mahāpūjā, and elaborate archana—commonly centered on the Shiva-liṅga, affirming that the Lord accepts devoted offering even when exact ritual timings cannot be met.
It suggests compensatory worship: organizing an utsava, conducting a formal worship sitting, performing mahāpūjā, or increasing archana—optionally supported by Shaiva staples like japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), bhasma (tripuṇḍra), and rudrākṣa as one’s capacity allows.