Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 55
मन्त्रसिद्ध्यर्थं गुरुपूजा–आज्ञा–पौरश्चर्यविधिः / Guru-Authorization, Offerings, and Puraścaraṇa for Mantra-Siddhi
आचारः परमो धर्म आचारः परमं धनं । आचारः परमा विद्या आचारः परमा गतिः । आचारहीनः पुरुषो लोके भवति निंदितः । परत्र च सुखी न स्यात्तस्मादाचारवान्भवेत्
ācāraḥ paramo dharma ācāraḥ paramaṃ dhanaṃ | ācāraḥ paramā vidyā ācāraḥ paramā gatiḥ | ācārahīnaḥ puruṣo loke bhavati niṃditaḥ | paratra ca sukhī na syāttasmādācāravānbhavet
आचार हाच परम धर्म, आचार हाच परम धन। आचार हाच परम विद्या आणि आचार हाच परम गती। आचारहीन पुरुष या लोकी निंदित होतो, आणि परलोकीही सुखी होत नाही; म्हणून आचारवान व्हावे।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Positions ācāra (right conduct) as the true ‘wealth’ and ‘goal’ for the pilgrim; makes ethical discipline the foundation for fruitful darśana and mantra.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that ācāra (disciplined, dharmic living) is not merely social virtue but the foundation for spiritual maturation—purifying the bound soul (paśu) and loosening pāśa (bondage) so that Shiva’s grace can culminate in the highest gati (liberation).
Linga-worship and Saguna Shiva devotion become spiritually effective when supported by purity, restraint, truthfulness, and reverence—ācāra safeguards worship from becoming mechanical and aligns the devotee’s life with the presence of Shiva symbolized by the Linga.
Adopt steady vows of right conduct alongside worship—such as daily Shiva-puja with cleanliness, truthful speech, moderation, and regular japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya); these disciplines stabilize sadhana and support inner purification.