Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 39
शिवज्ञान-प्रश्नः तथा सृष्टौ शिवस्य स्वयमाविर्भावः
Inquiry into Śiva-knowledge and Śiva’s self-manifestation in creation
तत्र पूजाधिकारो ऽयं ब्रह्मक्षत्रविशामिति । ज्ञात्वा प्रणम्य देवेशं देवा जग्मुर्यथागतम्
tatra pūjādhikāro 'yaṃ brahmakṣatraviśāmiti | jñātvā praṇamya deveśaṃ devā jagmuryathāgatam
そこで彼らは、その供養を行う権能はブラーフマナ、クシャトリヤ、ヴァイシャに属することを悟った。かく知って諸天はデーヴァの主に礼拝し、来た道をそのまま辿って去って行った。
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
The verse emphasizes dharmic order (adhikāra) in ritual worship while portraying the Devas’ humility before Shiva as Deveśa—affirming Shiva as the supreme Pati whom even celestial beings revere.
By stating ‘pūjādhikāra’ (ritual eligibility), it frames Linga/Saguna Shiva worship as a disciplined practice governed by dharma; the Devas themselves honor Shiva and withdraw, showing that worship is not casual but reverent and rule-guided.
The immediate practice implied is praṇāma (prostration) to Shiva before and after puja; as a Shaiva takeaway, conclude worship with namaskāra and remembrance of Shiva as Deveśa, ideally accompanied by japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) where appropriate.