Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 95
द्वितीयतृतीयावरणपूजाक्रमः | The Sequence of the Second and Third Enclosure Worship (Āvaraṇa-pūjā)
तथापि क्षुद्रमुद्दिश्य फलं नैतत्प्रयोजयेत् । लघ्वर्थी महतो यस्मात्स्वयं लघुतरो भवेत्
tathāpi kṣudramuddiśya phalaṃ naitatprayojayet | laghvarthī mahato yasmātsvayaṃ laghutaro bhavet
ถึงกระนั้นก็ไม่ควรใช้วัตรปฏิบัติอันศักดิ์สิทธิ์นี้เพื่อผลอันเล็กน้อย เพราะผู้แสวงหากำไรจิ๋วที่หันหลังให้ความยิ่งใหญ่ ย่อมทำตนให้ยิ่งเล็กลงไปอีก
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Ethical-theological admonition: do not instrumentalize Śaiva sādhana for petty ends; small-minded desire reinforces limitation—an implicit account of bondage (pāśa) through kāma and ajñāna.
Significance: Directs pilgrims from transactional worship toward the ‘Great’ (Mahān/Śiva), aligning intention with liberation rather than mere gain.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that sacred Shaiva disciplines are meant for communion with Pati (Lord Shiva) and liberation; using them for small worldly rewards shrinks the aspirant’s inner stature and keeps one bound to limited goals.
Linga worship is a doorway to the Great Reality of Shiva; the verse cautions devotees not to reduce that worship to a transaction for minor boons, but to approach Saguna Shiva with the intention of purification and grace leading toward the Supreme.
Adopt a moksha-oriented practice—daily Panchakshara japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), Tripuṇḍra with bhasma, and steady dhyāna on Shiva—done without petty desire, offering all fruits to Shiva.