Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 88
पाशुपतव्रतविधिः | The Procedure of the Supreme Pāśupata Vow
घृताक्तो यश्चरेदेतद्व्रतं व्रतपरायणः । द्वित्रैकदिवसं वापि स च कश्चन नैष्ठिकः
ghṛtākto yaścaredetadvrataṃ vrataparāyaṇaḥ | dvitraikadivasaṃ vāpi sa ca kaścana naiṣṭhikaḥ
जो घृताने अभ्यक्त होऊन, व्रतपरायण होऊन, हे व्रत आचरे—दोन, तीन किंवा एक दिवस जरी—तोही निश्चयाने नैष्ठिक होतो।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Highlights a concrete vrata-marker (ghṛtākta—anointed with ghee) and short duration (1–3 days) still yielding naiṣṭhika status, reflecting Purāṇic ‘condensed merit’ logic tied to sincerity and intensity.
Role: nurturing
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It teaches that in Shaiva dharma, sincere resolve and disciplined observance matter more than duration—even a short vow done with steadiness purifies the paśu (individual soul) and turns one toward Shiva as Pati (the Lord).
The verse supports Saguna Shiva worship through vrata: bodily and mental discipline offered to Shiva (often centered on Linga-puja) becomes a vehicle for grace, making the practitioner ‘naiṣṭhika’—firm in worship.
It indicates a vrata performed with bodily purity and consecration (here, being anointed with ghee), emphasizing steadfastness; in practice this commonly accompanies Shiva-vratas such as fasting, japa of the Panchakshara, and focused worship.