Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 31
श्रद्धामाहात्म्यं तथा देवीप्रश्नः
The Greatness of Śraddhā and Devī’s Question to Śiva
पशुपाशपतिज्ञानं ज्ञानमित्यभिधीयते । षडध्वशुद्धिर्विधिना गुर्वधीना क्रियोच्यते । वर्णाश्रमप्रयुक्तस्य मयैव विहितस्य च । ममार्चनादिधर्मस्य चर्या चर्येति कथ्यते
paśupāśapatijñānaṃ jñānamityabhidhīyate | ṣaḍadhvaśuddhirvidhinā gurvadhīnā kriyocyate | varṇāśramaprayuktasya mayaiva vihitasya ca | mamārcanādidharmasya caryā caryeti kathyate
पशु, पाश आणि पति—या त्रयाचे बोध हेच ‘ज्ञान’ म्हणतात. विधिपूर्वक, गुरूच्या अधीन राहून, षडध्वाची शुद्धी करणे ‘क्रिया’ होय. आणि वर्ण-आश्रमाप्रमाणे, माझ्याच आज्ञेने विहित, माझ्या अर्चनादि धर्मांचे आचरण ‘चर्या’ असे कथिले जाते.
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Programmatic Siddhānta definition: jñāna as understanding Pati–Paśu–Pāśa; kriyā as ṣaḍadhva-śuddhi under guru; caryā as Śiva-enjoined worship within varṇāśrama—mapping the liberation curriculum.
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It defines a Shaiva Siddhanta framework: true knowledge is knowing the soul (paśu), its bondage (pāśa), and Shiva as Lord (Pati), while liberation is supported by Guru-guided discipline (caryā) and purifying rites (kriyā).
By naming “My duties of worship (arcana) and the like,” it grounds spiritual progress in Saguna Shiva worship—Linga-arcana and prescribed observances—performed within dharma and guided toward the realization of Shiva as Pati.
It emphasizes Guru-led kriyā (purificatory ritual discipline) and caryā (daily worship such as Shiva-arcana); practitioners may integrate mantra-japa (e.g., Panchakshara), bhasma/tripuṇḍra, and regulated conduct according to their āśrama.