Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 31
श्रद्धामाहात्म्यं तथा देवीप्रश्नः
The Greatness of Śraddhā and Devī’s Question to Śiva
पशुपाशपतिज्ञानं ज्ञानमित्यभिधीयते । षडध्वशुद्धिर्विधिना गुर्वधीना क्रियोच्यते । वर्णाश्रमप्रयुक्तस्य मयैव विहितस्य च । ममार्चनादिधर्मस्य चर्या चर्येति कथ्यते
paśupāśapatijñānaṃ jñānamityabhidhīyate | ṣaḍadhvaśuddhirvidhinā gurvadhīnā kriyocyate | varṇāśramaprayuktasya mayaiva vihitasya ca | mamārcanādidharmasya caryā caryeti kathyate
पशु, पाश और पति—इन तीनों का बोध ही ‘ज्ञान’ कहा जाता है। विधिपूर्वक, गुरु के अधीन, षडध्व की शुद्धि करना ‘क्रिया’ कहलाता है। और वर्ण-आश्रम के अनुसार, मेरे द्वारा ही विहित, मेरे अर्चनादि धर्मों का आचरण ‘चर्या’ कहा जाता है।
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Programmatic Siddhānta definition: jñāna as understanding Pati–Paśu–Pāśa; kriyā as ṣaḍadhva-śuddhi under guru; caryā as Śiva-enjoined worship within varṇāśrama—mapping the liberation curriculum.
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It defines a Shaiva Siddhanta framework: true knowledge is knowing the soul (paśu), its bondage (pāśa), and Shiva as Lord (Pati), while liberation is supported by Guru-guided discipline (caryā) and purifying rites (kriyā).
By naming “My duties of worship (arcana) and the like,” it grounds spiritual progress in Saguna Shiva worship—Linga-arcana and prescribed observances—performed within dharma and guided toward the realization of Shiva as Pati.
It emphasizes Guru-led kriyā (purificatory ritual discipline) and caryā (daily worship such as Shiva-arcana); practitioners may integrate mantra-japa (e.g., Panchakshara), bhasma/tripuṇḍra, and regulated conduct according to their āśrama.