Shloka 97
बन्धमोक्षवर्णनम्
Bondage and Liberation: The Prakṛti–Karma Wheel and Śiva as the Transcendent Cause
गुर्वनुज्ञाविरहितं चोरवत्सकलं भवेत् । गुरोरपि विशेषज्ञं यत्नाद्गृह्णीत वै गुरुम्
gurvanujñāvirahitaṃ coravatsakalaṃ bhavet | gurorapi viśeṣajñaṃ yatnādgṛhṇīta vai gurum
Segala laku suci yang dilakukan tanpa izin Guru menjadi sepenuhnya ternoda, bagaikan perbuatan mencuri. Karena itu, dengan sungguh-sungguh, hendaknya menerima seorang Guru yang benar-benar arif dan mahir pada jalan khusus itu, bahkan di antara para Guru.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Śiva Purāṇa teachings to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva-upāsanā must be rooted in humility and right transmission: without the Guru’s sanction, practice becomes ego-driven appropriation, obstructing grace (anugraha) and true purification.
Linga worship and Saguna Śiva devotion are powerful, but the Purāṇa emphasizes proper vidhi and inner attitude; the Guru ensures the devotee follows correct ritual, mantra, and bhāva so worship becomes a channel for Śiva’s grace rather than mere display.
Seek dīkṣā or clear guidance from a qualified Śaiva Guru for mantra-japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī), and perform worship (including bhasma/rudrākṣa disciplines if prescribed) only as instructed, not independently or prematurely.