Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 20
भक्ताधिकारि-द्विजधर्म-योगिलक्षणवर्णनम् / Duties of Qualified Devotees and Marks of Yogins
या नारी भर्तृशुश्रूषां विहाय व्रततत्परा । सा नारी नरकं याति नात्र कार्या विचारणा
yā nārī bhartṛśuśrūṣāṃ vihāya vratatatparā | sā nārī narakaṃ yāti nātra kāryā vicāraṇā
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Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
FAQs
It teaches that in Shaiva dharma, external vows (vrata) are not superior to righteous conduct (ācāra). Devotion becomes spiritually fruitful when it supports, rather than violates, one’s ordained duties (svadharma).
Linga/Saguna Shiva worship in the Purana is repeatedly tied to purity of life and duty. The verse warns against using religious observances as a pretext to neglect dharma, implying that true Shiva-bhakti integrates worship with ethical responsibility.
Perform vratas, japa (such as the Panchakshara), and Shiva-puja while maintaining grihastha dharma—i.e., let practices like mantra, bhasma, and disciplined worship refine conduct rather than replace one’s obligations.