Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 31
नैमित्तिकविधिक्रमः
Occasional Rites and Their Procedure
न पुनश्चक्रवर्ती स्याच्छिवधर्माधिकारवान् । तस्माच्च्छिवाश्रितो भूत्वा येन केनापि हेतुना
na punaścakravartī syācchivadharmādhikāravān | tasmāccchivāśrito bhūtvā yena kenāpi hetunā
மீண்டும் சக்கரவர்த்தி அரசனும் சிவதர்மத்தின் உண்மையான அதிகாரி அல்லன். ஆகவே எந்தக் காரணமோ எந்த நிமித்தமோ கொண்டு சிவனைச் சரணடைந்தால், சிவமார்க்கத்திற்கும் அதன் பரம பலனிற்கும் தகுதியடைவான்.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Significance: Devalues worldly sovereignty relative to Śiva-dharma qualification; teaches that refuge (śaraṇāgati) in Śiva is the true authority leading beyond concealment.
FAQs
It teaches that worldly supremacy (even cakravartin status) does not equal true spiritual qualification; taking refuge in Pati (Śiva) is presented as the decisive turning-point toward Śiva-dharma and liberation.
“Taking refuge in Śiva” is practically expressed through Saguna worship—especially devotion to the Śiva-liṅga, mantra, and daily observances—by which the bound soul (paśu) aligns with Pati and loosens the bonds (pāśa).
The takeaway is śaraṇāgati expressed as regular Śiva-upāsanā—japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), liṅga-pūjā, and adopting Śaiva marks like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) where appropriate.