Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 70
मन्त्रसिद्धिः, प्रतिबन्धनिरासः, श्रद्धा-नियमाः
Mantra Efficacy, Removal of Obstacles, and the Role of Faith/Discipline
सो ऽप्येवमाचरेदत्र न गृह्णीयात्स्वयं पुनः । स्वयं गृह्णाति यो लोभात्पूजांगद्रव्यमुत्तमम्
so 'pyevamācaredatra na gṛhṇīyātsvayaṃ punaḥ | svayaṃ gṛhṇāti yo lobhātpūjāṃgadravyamuttamam
അവനും ഇവിടെ ഇതേവിധം ആചരിച്ച് പിന്നെ സ്വയം ഒന്നും സ്വീകരിക്കരുത്. പൂജയ്ക്കുള്ള ഉത്തമ ഉപകരണങ്ങളെ ലാഭത്താൽ സ്വയം എടുത്തെടുക്കുന്നവൻ ധർമ്മവിരുദ്ധനാകുന്നു.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Ethic of non-appropriation: pūjā-aṅga-dravya is ‘Śiva’s property’ once consecrated; greed (lobha) is a pasha (bond) that veils discernment—thus the verse functions as a dharmic safeguard for ritual integrity.
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that Shaiva worship must be free of personal greed: offerings meant for Shiva are to be treated as sacred, and selfless restraint purifies the devotee’s intention, supporting inner discipline and devotion.
In Linga/Saguna worship, the upacāras (worship articles) are considered dedicated to Shiva; appropriating them for oneself breaks the spirit of īśvara-ārpaṇa (offering to the Lord) and diminishes the sanctity of the rite.
Practice niṣkāma-sevā (selfless service) during puja: handle offerings as Shiva’s property, avoid taking prasad or materials with a possessive mind, and maintain an attitude of dedication (arpaṇa-bhāva) while repeating Shiva’s mantra.