Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 5
मन्त्रसिद्ध्यर्थं गुरुपूजा–आज्ञा–पौरश्चर्यविधिः / Guru-Authorization, Offerings, and Puraścaraṇa for Mantra-Siddhi
आचार्यं पूजयेद्विप्रः सर्वदातिप्रयत्नतः । हस्त्यश्वरथरत्नानि क्षेत्राणि च गृहाणि च । भूषणानि च वासांसि धान्यानि च धनानि च । एतानि गुरवे दद्याद्भक्त्या च विभवे सति
ācāryaṃ pūjayedvipraḥ sarvadātiprayatnataḥ | hastyaśvaratharatnāni kṣetrāṇi ca gṛhāṇi ca | bhūṣaṇāni ca vāsāṃsi dhānyāni ca dhanāni ca | etāni gurave dadyādbhaktyā ca vibhave sati
Com esforço constante e diligente, o dvija (nascido duas vezes) deve honrar e venerar o ācārya, o preceptor espiritual. Tendo meios, ofereça ao guru, com devoção, dádivas como elefantes, cavalos, carros, joias preciosas, campos e casas, ornamentos e vestes, grãos e riquezas.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva Purana teachings to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Role: nurturing
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It teaches that reverence to the ācārya is a primary Shaiva discipline: devotion becomes fruitful when guided by the guru, and selfless giving (dāna) purifies attachment, supporting the soul’s progress toward Shiva’s grace and liberation.
In Shaiva practice, proper Linga-worship and Saguna Shiva devotion are learned and safeguarded through the ācārya; honoring the guru is therefore treated as honoring the living conduit of Shiva’s instruction, mantra, and ritual order.
Guru-pūjā and dāna according to one’s means—offering wealth, food, clothing, or support to the teacher—along with disciplined devotion; the verse implies regulated practice under guidance rather than unguided austerity.