Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 41
मङ्गलाचरणम्, तीर्थ-परिसरः, सूतागमनम् — Invocation, Sacred Setting, and the Arrival of Sūta
वंशानुचरितं चैव पुराणं पञ्चलक्षणम् । दशधा चाष्टधा चैतत्पुराणमुपदिश्यते
vaṃśānucaritaṃ caiva purāṇaṃ pañcalakṣaṇam | daśadhā cāṣṭadhā caitatpurāṇamupadiśyate
เรื่องราวแห่งวงศ์และประวัติสืบต่อของวงศ์นั้นแล คือปุราณะที่มีลักษณะห้าประการ ปุราณะนี้ยังสอนจำแนกได้ทั้งเป็นสิบประเภทและแปดประเภทด้วย
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Sthala Purana: No sthala narrative; the verse defines Purāṇa by pañcalakṣaṇa (typically: sarga, pratisarga, vaṃśa, manvantara, vaṃśānucarita), a structural map used to transmit cosmology and dharma.
Significance: Establishes criteria for authentic Purāṇic teaching; for devotees, it legitimizes the Śiva Purāṇa as a complete vehicle for dharma, cosmology, and Śiva-bhakti.
Role: teaching
Cosmic Event: Purāṇic time: repeated creations (pratisarga) and manvantara cycles are foregrounded as the macro-historical canvas.
FAQs
It establishes scriptural authority by defining what a true Purāṇa is—grounded in recognized characteristics and orderly transmission—so the seeker can rely on it as a valid vehicle for Shiva-centered dharma and liberation-teachings.
By clarifying the Purāṇa’s formal definition, it frames later teachings—such as Liṅga worship, vows, and Shiva’s saguna manifestations—as part of an authenticated tradition rather than isolated practices.
No specific rite is prescribed in this verse; the practical takeaway is śravaṇa (reverent listening) and adhyayana (study) of the Purāṇa in its proper structure, preparing the mind for mantra, liṅga-pūjā, and yogic contemplation taught later.