Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 56
श्रद्धामाहात्म्यं तथा देवीप्रश्नः
The Greatness of Śraddhā and Devī’s Question to Śiva
बाह्यादाभ्यंतरं श्रेष्ठं भवेच्छतगुणाधिकम् । असंकरत्वाद्दोषाणां दृष्टानामप्यसम्भवात् । शौचमाभ्यंतरं विद्यान्न बाह्यं शौचमुच्यते । अंतः शौचविमुक्तात्मा शुचिरप्यशुचिर्यतः
bāhyādābhyaṃtaraṃ śreṣṭhaṃ bhavecchataguṇādhikam | asaṃkaratvāddoṣāṇāṃ dṛṣṭānāmapyasambhavāt | śaucamābhyaṃtaraṃ vidyānna bāhyaṃ śaucamucyate | aṃtaḥ śaucavimuktātmā śucirapyaśuciryataḥ
A pureza interior é superior à pureza exterior—na verdade, cem vezes maior. Porque não se mistura com defeitos, e porque mesmo faltas visíveis não podem surgir nela, deve-se reconhecer a pureza como interna; a mera limpeza externa não é verdadeiramente chamada pureza. Quem carece de pureza interior é impuro, ainda que por fora esteja limpo.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It teaches that true śauca (purity) is primarily inward—purifying intention, mind, and conduct—because only inner purity supports liberation and stable devotion to Shiva; outer cleanliness without inner transformation is spiritually incomplete.
Linga worship includes external acts (snāna, abhiṣeka, offerings), but this verse insists that such Saguna worship becomes effective when joined with inner śauca—humility, restraint, and sincerity—so the devotee’s consciousness becomes fit to receive Shiva’s grace.
Along with basic external purity, prioritize inner purification through japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), self-restraint, truthfulness, and mindful offering during puja—so the mind does not ‘mix’ with दोष (defects) while worshipping.