Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 63
प्रणवविभागः—वेदस्वरूपत्वं लिङ्गे च प्रतिष्ठा
The Division of Oṃ, Its Vedic Forms, and Its Placement in the Liṅga
निर्भयः को ऽभिभाषेत कृत्यं स्वस्य परस्य वा । आवयोर्देवदेवस्य विवादो ऽपि हि शोभनः
nirbhayaḥ ko 'bhibhāṣeta kṛtyaṃ svasya parasya vā | āvayordevadevasya vivādo 'pi hi śobhanaḥ
Qui donc, sans crainte, parlerait de ce qu’il convient d’accomplir, pour soi ou pour autrui ? Pourtant, même une controverse entre nous au sujet du Deva des devas est belle et légitime, car elle vise à discerner ce qui est véritablement juste.
Suta Goswami (narrating a dialogue in the Vāyavīyasaṃhitā context)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
The verse affirms that when the subject is Devadeva Śiva (Pati), even disagreement can be spiritually wholesome if it is aimed at clarifying dharma and right understanding (viveka), not ego—supporting the Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis on knowledge and devotion together.
It implies that practices like Linga worship should be grounded in correct discernment of what is truly 'kṛtya' (to be done) for Śiva’s satisfaction; discussion that refines one’s understanding strengthens saguna-bhakti by aligning worship with Shiva’s intent rather than mere custom.
The takeaway is to pair worship with reflective inquiry: perform Śiva-pūjā while contemplating one’s duties, recite the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with the intention to correct conduct, and adopt a disciplined, non-contentious mindset—debate only to arrive at truth-centered devotion.