Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 74
पशु-पाश-पतिविचारः / Inquiry into Paśu, Pāśa, and Pati
न पुत्रायाशुवृत्ताय नाशिष्याय च सर्वथा । यस्य देवे पराभक्तिर्यथा देवे तथा गुरौ
na putrāyāśuvṛttāya nāśiṣyāya ca sarvathā | yasya deve parābhaktiryathā deve tathā gurau
คำสอนนี้ไม่พึงมอบแก่บุตรผู้ประพฤติชั่ว และไม่พึงมอบแก่ผู้มิใช่ศิษย์แท้โดยประการทั้งปวง. พึงมอบแก่ผู้มีภักติสูงสุดต่อองค์เทพ และมีภักติต่อครูบาอาจารย์เสมอด้วยภักติต่อองค์เทพนั้น.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Sthala Purana: Not tied to a Jyotirliṅga; it articulates the guru-bhakti criterion that undergirds Śaiva pilgrimage lineages and temple initiation customs.
Significance: Frames pilgrimage/temple learning as fruitful only when accompanied by parā-bhakti to Śiva and equal reverence to the guru.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It defines spiritual eligibility (adhikāra): Shaiva knowledge is to be entrusted only to a disciplined seeker whose bhakti to Shiva (Pati) is matched by sincere devotion and obedience to the Guru, the living channel of grace and instruction.
Linga/Saguna worship is not mere external ritual; it requires inner purity and right discipleship. The verse implies that proper Linga-upāsanā and mantra practice bear fruit when received through the Guru and supported by unwavering devotion to Shiva.
It points to Guru-initiated practice—such as japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and disciplined Shaiva observances—undertaken with humility, ethical conduct, and steady devotion to both Shiva and the Guru.