Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 69
पाशुपतव्रतविधिः | The Procedure of the Supreme Pāśupata Vow
बहुनात्र किमुक्तेन नाचरेदशिवं व्रती । प्रमादात्तु तथाचारे निरूप्य गुरुलाघवे
bahunātra kimuktena nācaredaśivaṃ vratī | pramādāttu tathācāre nirūpya gurulāghave
Que proveito há em dizer muito aqui? O observador de um voto (vrata) jamais deve praticar o que é inauspicioso e contrário a Śiva. Mas se, por negligência, tal conduta ocorrer, então—após discernir o que é pesado (falta grave) e o que é leve (falta menor)—deve-se proceder à retificação apropriada.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Emphasizes vrata-śuddhi: avoiding aśiva (adharmic/inauspicious) acts preserves the efficacy of Śiva-vrata; if a lapse occurs, discern gravity and restore purity through proper niṣkṛti.
FAQs
It teaches that Shaiva vows must align with Śiva’s auspicious dharma; if a lapse happens through pramāda (negligence), the seeker should honestly assess the severity and correct it through appropriate discipline, preserving purity of intention and steady devotion.
Linga-worship emphasizes śuddhi (purity), niyama (observance), and reverence for Śiva’s auspiciousness; this verse warns against actions that contradict that worship and points to restoring right conduct when mistakes occur.
It implies prayāścitta and renewed niyama: return to regular Shiva-pūjā, japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and disciplined observance—choosing the remedy according to whether the lapse is guru (grave) or lāghava (minor).