Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 3
शिवपूजां सदा कुर्याद्बुद्धिमानिह मानवः । अशक्तश्चेत्कृता पूजां पश्येद्भक्तिविनम्रधीः
śivapūjāṃ sadā kuryādbuddhimāniha mānavaḥ | aśaktaścetkṛtā pūjāṃ paśyedbhaktivinamradhīḥ
En ce monde, l’homme avisé doit toujours accomplir le culte de Śiva. S’il en est incapable, qu’avec un esprit incliné par la dévotion il contemple au moins le culte accompli.
Sūta (continuing narration)
Listener: Sages at Naimiṣāraṇya (implied)
Scene: A temple courtyard: a priest performs liṅga-abhisheka; a humble devotee—perhaps elderly or poor—stands with folded hands, eyes lowered, tears of devotion; the devotee’s ‘seeing’ is highlighted by a beam of light from the sanctum.
FAQs
Devotion is inclusive: direct worship is ideal, but even reverent participation by witnessing worship carries spiritual value.
No tīrtha is named; the emphasis is on the practice of Śiva worship anywhere.
Perform Śiva-pūjā regularly; if unable, attend and behold Śiva-pūjā with devotional humility.