Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 93
द्वितीयतृतीयावरणपूजाक्रमः | The Sequence of the Second and Third Enclosure Worship (Āvaraṇa-pūjā)
इदमस्य फलं नेदमिति नैव नियम्यते । श्रेयोरूपस्य कृत्स्नस्य तदिदं श्रेष्टसाधनम्
idamasya phalaṃ nedamiti naiva niyamyate | śreyorūpasya kṛtsnasya tadidaṃ śreṣṭasādhanam
Seu fruto não se restringe dizendo: “Este é o seu resultado, não aquele.” Pois, para a totalidade do que é da natureza do sumo bem, isto é de fato o mais excelente meio de realização.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: General doctrinal statement: Śiva-upāya is not fruit-limited; it is the best means for the totality of śreyas (supreme good), implying both progressive welfare and final liberation.
Significance: Encourages pilgrims/devotees to approach Śiva not merely for single boons but for comprehensive śreyas culminating in liberation.
FAQs
The verse teaches that an authentic Shaiva sādhanā aimed at Śiva (the Supreme Pati) is not confined to a single, narrow benefit; it can culminate in the complete highest good (śreyas), i.e., liberation and spiritual fulfillment.
Linga/Saguṇa worship is presented as a “śreṣṭha-sādhana” because it can yield both worldly welfare and the trans-worldly śreyas; its fruit is not limited to one outcome when performed with right devotion and understanding of Śiva as the supreme reality.
It implies steady Shaiva practice without bargaining for specific results—such as daily Linga-pūjā with bhasma (tripuṇḍra), rudrākṣa, and japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—as a best means leading toward the highest good.