Shiva Purana — Vidyesvara Samhita, Shloka 55
Kṣetra–Kāla–Phala-kramaḥ
Hierarchy of Sacred Place, Time, and Ritual Fruit
वेदशास्त्रं समादाय बुद्ध्वा गुरुमुखात्स्वयम् । कर्मणां फलमस्तीति बुद्धिरास्तिक्यमुच्यते
vedaśāstraṃ samādāya buddhvā gurumukhātsvayam | karmaṇāṃ phalamastīti buddhirāstikyamucyate
Taglay ang Veda at ang mga kapani-paniwalang Śāstra, at matapos maunawaan ito nang tuwiran mula sa bibig ng Guru, ang matibay na paniniwalang “may bunga ang mga gawa (karma)”—ang pagkaunawang ito ang tinatawag na āstikya (pananampalatayang teistiko).
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating Śiva Purāṇa teachings to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Establishes orthodox epistemology for worship: śāstra received through guru-paramparā yields āstikya and right conduct, preparing the soul for Śiva’s grace.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It defines āstikya as a śāstra-and-guru grounded certainty that karma yields results, forming the ethical and spiritual basis for disciplined worship and the gradual purification that leads toward Śiva’s grace.
Linga-worship is presented as śāstra-sanctioned practice learned from a guru; faith in karmaphala supports consistent pūjā, vrata, and mantra-japa, trusting that such acts mature into inner purity and receptivity to Saguna Śiva’s anugraha (grace).
Follow guru-taught, śāstra-based sādhana—daily Śiva-pūjā and mantra-japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī, ‘Om Namaḥ Śivāya’) with disciplined conduct, trusting in the purifying fruit of right action.