Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 62
पाशुपतव्रतविधिः | The Procedure of the Supreme Pāśupata Vow
भक्तान्द्विजांश्च शक्तश्चेद्दीनानाथांश्च तोषयेत् । स्वयं चानशने शक्तः फलमूलाशने ऽथ वा
bhaktāndvijāṃśca śaktaśceddīnānāthāṃśca toṣayet | svayaṃ cānaśane śaktaḥ phalamūlāśane 'tha vā
सामर्थ्य असल्यास भक्त, द्विज तसेच दीन-अनाथ यांना तृप्त करावे. आणि शक्ती असल्यास स्वतः उपवास करावा; अन्यथा फळमुळे सेवन करावे।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Significance: Service to bhaktas, dvijas, and the helpless is framed as Śiva-sevā itself, accruing puṇya and softening pāśa (bondage) through compassion and restraint.
Shakti Form: Annapūrṇā
Role: nurturing
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It teaches that Shaiva devotion is proved through compassionate service—honouring Shiva’s devotees and supporting the helpless—along with disciplined self-restraint such as fasting, which purifies the pashu (bound soul) and loosens the pasha (bondage).
In Saguna Shiva worship, pleasing Shiva is inseparable from pleasing His bhaktas and upholding dharma; offerings at the Linga culminate in living worship through feeding and supporting those worthy and those in need.
A vrata-oriented practice is implied: fast if capable, or keep a regulated phala-mūla (fruits and roots) diet, while performing dāna/annadāna to devotees, dvijas, and the poor as part of Shaiva worship.