संध्याचरित्रवर्णनम् (Sandhyā-caritra-varṇana) — “Account of Sandhyā’s Story”
ब्रह्मोवाच । वसिष्ठ पुत्र गच्छ त्वं संध्यां जातां मनस्विनीम् । तपसे धृतकामां च दीक्षस्वैनां यथा विधि
brahmovāca | vasiṣṭha putra gaccha tvaṃ saṃdhyāṃ jātāṃ manasvinīm | tapase dhṛtakāmāṃ ca dīkṣasvaināṃ yathā vidhi
برہما نے کہا— اے وشیِشٹھ کے فرزند! تم سندھیا کے پاس جاؤ؛ وہ پختہ ارادہ اور مضبوط دل ہو کر تپسیا کا عزم کر چکی ہے۔ مقررہ وِدھی کے مطابق اسے تپودیक्षा عطا کرو۔
Brahmā
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
The verse highlights that sincere inner resolve (manas) must be sealed by proper dīkṣā and guided discipline; tapas becomes spiritually fruitful when undertaken according to vidhi under an authorized teacher—supporting purification and steady devotion toward Śiva.
Though the Liṅga is not named here, the Shiva Purana’s framework treats dīkṣā and regulated tapas as preparatory limbs for Saguna Śiva-upāsanā—making the devotee fit for mantra, vrata, and worship that culminate in Śiva’s grace.
It suggests formal initiation (dīkṣā) and undertaking tapas “yathā-vidhi”—i.e., disciplined observances such as mantra-japa, vrata, and regulated conduct under guidance; the verse implies rule-based practice rather than self-willed austerity.