Shiva Purana — Vidyesvara Samhita, Shloka 55
Kṣetra–Kāla–Phala-kramaḥ
Hierarchy of Sacred Place, Time, and Ritual Fruit
वेदशास्त्रं समादाय बुद्ध्वा गुरुमुखात्स्वयम् । कर्मणां फलमस्तीति बुद्धिरास्तिक्यमुच्यते
vedaśāstraṃ samādāya buddhvā gurumukhātsvayam | karmaṇāṃ phalamastīti buddhirāstikyamucyate
वेद और शास्त्रों को ग्रहण करके, गुरु के मुख से स्वयं उनका तत्त्व समझकर, ‘कर्मों का फल अवश्य होता है’—यह जो दृढ़ बुद्धि है, वही आस्तिक्य (आस्तिक-श्रद्धा) कहलाती है।
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating Śiva Purāṇa teachings to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Establishes orthodox epistemology for worship: śāstra received through guru-paramparā yields āstikya and right conduct, preparing the soul for Śiva’s grace.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It defines āstikya as a śāstra-and-guru grounded certainty that karma yields results, forming the ethical and spiritual basis for disciplined worship and the gradual purification that leads toward Śiva’s grace.
Linga-worship is presented as śāstra-sanctioned practice learned from a guru; faith in karmaphala supports consistent pūjā, vrata, and mantra-japa, trusting that such acts mature into inner purity and receptivity to Saguna Śiva’s anugraha (grace).
Follow guru-taught, śāstra-based sādhana—daily Śiva-pūjā and mantra-japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī, ‘Om Namaḥ Śivāya’) with disciplined conduct, trusting in the purifying fruit of right action.