Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 44
शिवसंस्कार-दीक्षानिरूपणम् (Śivasaṃskāra and the Typology of Dīkṣā)
गुरुं तमेव वृणुयान्नापरं मतिमान्नरः । स शिष्यैर्विनयाचारचतुरैरुचितो गुरुः
guruṃ tameva vṛṇuyānnāparaṃ matimānnaraḥ | sa śiṣyairvinayācāracaturairucito guruḥ
मतिमान् नरः तमेव गुरुं वृणुयात्, नापरम्। स गुरुः विनयाचारचतुरैः शिष्यैः सम्यग् उपास्यः, यथोचितः॥
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches Guru-niṣṭhā (steadfastness in one true preceptor): liberation in Shaiva Siddhanta depends on right guidance, and the disciple must approach the path with humility and disciplined conduct rather than restless switching of teachers.
Linga-worship and Saguna Shiva upāsanā become fruitful when learned from an authentic Guru who transmits correct ritual, mantra, and inner contemplation; the verse stresses choosing that Guru and serving with proper vinaya and ācāra.
Practice disciplined conduct (ācāra) and humility (vinaya) as the foundation for mantra-dīkṣā and daily Shiva worship—such as japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) under the Guru’s guidance.