Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 87
पाशुपतव्रतविधिः | The Procedure of the Supreme Pāśupata Vow
यो ऽन्वहं द्वादशाहं वा व्रतमेतत्समाचरेत् । सो ऽपि नैष्ठिकतुल्यः स्यात्तीव्रव्रतसमन्वयात्
yo 'nvahaṃ dvādaśāhaṃ vā vratametatsamācaret | so 'pi naiṣṭhikatulyaḥ syāttīvravratasamanvayāt
Siapa pun yang menjalankan nazar ini setiap hari, atau bahkan selama dua belas hari, ia pun menjadi setara dengan seorang naiṣṭhika, karena disiplin ini berpadu dengan tapa yang sangat kuat.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Introduces time-bound vrata (daily or dvādaśāha) that yields naiṣṭhika-equivalence—typical Purāṇic framing of condensed sādhana producing accelerated merit and grace.
FAQs
It teaches that sincere, intense observance of a Shaiva vow—even for a limited time—can confer the merit of lifelong steadiness, because tapas united with devotion purifies the bound soul (paśu) and loosens bondage (pāśa) by Shiva’s grace (Pati).
The verse praises disciplined vow-observance as a direct support for Saguna Shiva worship—such as Linga-puja—where regularity and intensity of practice cultivate naiṣṭhikā-bhakti (firm devotion) and make the worshipper ‘like a steadfast votary’.
It recommends undertaking a structured vrata with daily commitment, or a focused twelve-day observance, ideally paired with Shaiva disciplines such as mantra-japa (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya), purity rules, and intensified worship.