Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 17
केवलामुष्मिकविधिः — The Rite for Exclusive Otherworldly Attainment
Liṅga-Abhiṣeka and Padma-Pūjā Protocol
एतद्व्रतोत्तमं गुह्यं शिवलिंगमहाव्रतम् । भक्तस्य ते समाख्यातं न देयं यस्य कस्यचित्
etadvratottamaṃ guhyaṃ śivaliṃgamahāvratam | bhaktasya te samākhyātaṃ na deyaṃ yasya kasyacit
ഇത് വ്രതങ്ങളിൽ ശ്രേഷ്ഠവും ഗുഹ്യവുമായ ശിവലിംഗ മഹാവ്രതമാണ്. ഭക്തനായ നിനക്കിത് ഉപദേശിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു; ആരെയെങ്കിലും വിവേചനമില്ലാതെ നല്കരുത്.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga legend; it establishes adhikāra (eligibility) and secrecy (guhyatva) for the Śiva-liṅga mahāvrata, implying transmission only to qualified bhaktas.
Significance: Highlights that vows/observances are potent and must be guarded; proper transmission preserves sanctity and efficacy (śakti) of the vrata.
FAQs
It teaches that the Śiva-liṅga Mahāvrata is a powerful, inner-transforming discipline and therefore must be preserved and transmitted only to those with devotion and readiness, so the practice remains pure and effective for liberation.
The liṅga is presented as the sacred focus for Saguna worship that leads the devotee toward realization of Pati (Śiva). Because the vow involves strict observances and reverence for the liṅga, it is not meant for casual or irreverent handling.
The verse points to undertaking the Śiva-liṅga Mahāvrata under proper guidance—i.e., disciplined liṅga-pūjā with devotional restraint, secrecy where required, and transmission only within a qualified bhakti context (often supported by mantra-japa such as the Pañcākṣarī).