Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 33
शिवसंस्कार-दीक्षानिरूपणम् (Śivasaṃskāra and the Typology of Dīkṣā)
श्रेयोर्थी चेन्नरो धीमान्न मिथ्याचारमाचरेत् । गुरोर्हितं प्रियं कुर्यादादिष्टो वा न वा सदा
śreyorthī cennaro dhīmānna mithyācāramācaret | gurorhitaṃ priyaṃ kuryādādiṣṭo vā na vā sadā
உயர்ந்த நன்மையை நாடும் புத்திமான் பொய்யான அல்லது வஞ்சகமான நடத்தை செய்யக்கூடாது. கட்டளை இருந்தாலும் இல்லாவிட்டாலும், எப்போதும் குருவிற்கு நன்மையும் பிரியமும் தருவதைச் செய்ய வேண்டும்.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that liberation-oriented life (śreyas) in Shaiva Siddhanta depends on inner sincerity and disciplined conduct, not outward pretense; serving the Guru’s welfare aligns the seeker with Shiva’s grace (anugraha).
Linga-worship is meant to purify the heart; this verse warns that ritual without integrity becomes mere display. True devotion to Saguna Shiva expresses itself as truthful living and reverent Guru-seva, which makes worship effective.
The practical takeaway is daily Guru-seva with ethical restraint—supporting the teacher’s dharmic aims—alongside sincere japa (e.g., the Panchakshara) and disciplined observances, avoiding performative religiosity.