Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 67
पाशुपतव्रतविधिः | The Procedure of the Supreme Pāśupata Vow
क्षमदानदयासत्याहिंसाशीलः सदा भवेत् । संतुष्टश्च प्रशान्तश्च जपध्यानरतस्तथा
kṣamadānadayāsatyāhiṃsāśīlaḥ sadā bhavet | saṃtuṣṭaśca praśāntaśca japadhyānaratastathā
तो सदैव क्षमा, दान, दया, सत्य आणि अहिंसा या सद्गुणांत स्थित राहावा. संतुष्ट व प्रशांत होऊन जप-ध्यानात रत राहावा; अशा प्रकारे शिवमार्गात अधिकारी होऊन, पती-शिवाच्या कृपेने पशु पाशातून मुक्त होतो.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: General sādhana teaching: ethical virtues (yamas) and inner practices (japa-dhyāna) are presented as the pathway by which Pati’s grace becomes operative for the paśu.
Significance: Frames the inner pilgrimage: cultivating kṣamā, dayā, satya, ahiṃsā and sustained japa-dhyāna to become a vessel for Śiva’s anugraha.
Type: panchakshara
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that liberation-oriented Shaiva practice is grounded in ethical purification—forgiveness, charity, compassion, truth, and non-violence—together with inner contentment and peace, which make japa and meditation fruitful and prepare the soul for Shiva’s grace.
Linga-worship and Saguna Shiva devotion are not merely external rites; this verse insists on inner qualities—śīla, śānti, and santoṣa—so that worship becomes a living offering, aligning the devotee’s conduct with Shiva’s auspicious nature.
It directly recommends japa and dhyāna; in a Shiva Purana context this is commonly practiced as steady repetition of the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") with meditative absorption, supported by a non-violent, truthful, and compassionate life.