Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 89
पाशुपतव्रतविधिः | The Procedure of the Supreme Pāśupata Vow
कृत्यमित्येव निष्कामो यश्चरेद्व्रतमुत्तमम् । शिवार्पितात्मा सततं न तेन सदृशः क्वचित्
kṛtyamityeva niṣkāmo yaścaredvratamuttamam | śivārpitātmā satataṃ na tena sadṛśaḥ kvacit
ఫలాపేక్షలేక “ఇది నా కర్తవ్యం” అనే భావంతో ఉత్తమ వ్రతాన్ని ఆచరించి, నిత్యం తన ఆత్మను శివునికి అర్పించే వానికి సమానుడు ఎక్కడా లేడు।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Significance: Niṣkāma-vrata and self-surrender (ātma-nivedana) to Śiva are praised as the highest inner pilgrimage, yielding Śiva’s grace (anugraha) and superiority of character over merely external merit.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches that the highest spiritual excellence arises from niṣkāma observance—doing sacred duties without seeking rewards—and from continuous self-surrender to Śiva (Pati), which loosens pāśa (bondage) and matures the soul (paśu) toward liberation.
The verse emphasizes inner offering (śivārpaṇa) as the core of Saguna Śiva worship: Linga-pūjā, vrata, and service become supremely fruitful when performed as duty and dedication to Śiva rather than as a bargain for worldly gains.
Adopt a Śiva-vrata (regular Linga worship, japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and disciplined conduct) with the intention of duty and surrender; mentally offer all actions and their fruits to Śiva throughout the day.