प्रणवार्थ-शिवतत्त्व-निर्णयः
The Determination of Śiva as the Meaning of Praṇava
लब्धानुज्ञस्तु गुरुणा द्वादशाहं पयोव्रती । शुक्लपक्षे चतुर्थ्यां वा दशम्यां वा विधानतः
labdhānujñastu guruṇā dvādaśāhaṃ payovratī | śuklapakṣe caturthyāṃ vā daśamyāṃ vā vidhānataḥ
Setelah memperoleh keizinan daripada guru, hendaklah dia menjalankan nazar susu (payo-vrata) selama dua belas hari, menurut tatacara—sama ada pada tithi keempat atau tithi kesepuluh dalam paruh terang (śukla-pakṣa).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Role: nurturing
Offering: naivedya
It emphasizes that Shaiva practice is not merely personal preference but a disciplined sādhana done under the guru’s sanction, using regulated vows (vrata) to purify the devotee for Shiva-realization.
A payovrata is a preparatory observance that refines body and mind, making the devotee fit for ritual approach to Saguna Shiva—especially Linga worship—where purity, timing, and correct procedure are central.
A twelve-day payovrata (subsisting on milk) begun in the bright fortnight, specifically aligned to Chaturthi or Dashami, undertaken with the guru’s permission and adherence to prescribed rules.