Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 83
मन्त्रसिद्धिः, प्रतिबन्धनिरासः, श्रद्धा-नियमाः
Mantra Efficacy, Removal of Obstacles, and the Role of Faith/Discipline
आपन्नो ऽपि गतारिष्टः स्वयं खल्वमृतायते । रसाय नायते नित्यमपथ्यमपि सेवितम्
āpanno 'pi gatāriṣṭaḥ svayaṃ khalvamṛtāyate | rasāya nāyate nityamapathyamapi sevitam
Walau seseorang jatuh dalam kesusahan, dia terbebas daripada bahaya; dengan sendirinya ia menjadi seperti amerta, nektar suci. Namun sesuatu yang tidak baik, meski sentiasa diamalkan, tidak pernah menjadi rasayana, eliksir yang menghidupkan.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Not a sthala-purāṇa passage; it uses an āyurvedic/alchemical metaphor (amṛta/rasāyana) to contrast wholesome Śiva-bhakti/vrata with intrinsically unwholesome conduct that never becomes purifying.
Significance: General teaching: sincere Śiva-oriented observance can transmute distress into safety (ariṣṭa-nivṛtti) and spiritual vitality; unwholesome habits do not become saving merely by repetition.
FAQs
It teaches discernment (viveka): Shiva’s path purifies even a distressed seeker, but intrinsically harmful conduct (apathya)—adharmic habits and impure associations—cannot become spiritually life-giving merely through repetition.
In Shaiva Siddhanta, turning to Saguna Shiva through Linga-worship transforms the devotee’s condition—fear and impurity are removed—whereas actions opposed to dharma do not become sanctified just because they are habitual.
Adopt what is ‘pathya’ for Shiva-bhakti: steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), worship of the Linga with purity, and disciplined living; avoid ‘apathya’ habits that obstruct yoga and devotion.