Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 57
आवरणपूजाविधानम् / The Procedure of Āvaraṇa (Enclosure) Worship
चांद्रायणसहस्रैश्च प्राजापत्यशतैस्तथा । मासोपवासैश्चान्यैश्च शिवभक्तस्य किं पुनः
cāṃdrāyaṇasahasraiśca prājāpatyaśataistathā | māsopavāsaiścānyaiśca śivabhaktasya kiṃ punaḥ
Sekalipun dengan seribu vrata Cāndrāyaṇa, dengan seratus penebusan Prājāpatya, dan dengan puasa sebulan yang lain-lain—apa lagi yang dapat dikatakan tentang keagungan seorang bhakta Śiva?
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not Jyotirliṅga-specific; it compares famed expiatory vows (cāndrāyaṇa, prājāpatya, long fasts) with the superior status of Śiva-bhakti.
Significance: Suggests that even severe vratas are surpassed by the merit and salvific power of Śiva-bhakti; encourages devotion over mere expiation.
FAQs
It elevates Śiva-bhakti above even renowned expiatory vows and prolonged fasting, implying that sincere devotion draws Śiva’s grace more directly than mere austerity—aligning with a Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis on the Lord (Pati) granting liberation through anugraha (grace).
The verse implies that external disciplines (vratas, upavāsa) reach their highest meaning when oriented to Śiva as the worshipful Lord—commonly approached through Saguna forms such as Linga-worship—where devotion, not just self-denial, becomes the core offering.
Prioritize devotion-centered practice: regular Śiva-pūjā (especially Linga-archana) with japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and let fasting or vows serve as supportive disciplines rather than the main goal.