Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 67
पाशुपतव्रतविधिः | The Procedure of the Supreme Pāśupata Vow
क्षमदानदयासत्याहिंसाशीलः सदा भवेत् । संतुष्टश्च प्रशान्तश्च जपध्यानरतस्तथा
kṣamadānadayāsatyāhiṃsāśīlaḥ sadā bhavet | saṃtuṣṭaśca praśāntaśca japadhyānaratastathā
Hãy luôn an trú trong các đức: nhẫn nhục, bố thí, từ bi, chân thật và bất hại. Tự tại, tri túc và an tịnh, người ấy cũng chuyên cần japa và thiền định; nhờ vậy trở nên xứng đáng với đạo lộ Śaiva, nơi paśu (linh hồn bị trói) được giải khỏi pāśa (trói buộc) bởi ân sủng của Pati—Śiva.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: General sādhana teaching: ethical virtues (yamas) and inner practices (japa-dhyāna) are presented as the pathway by which Pati’s grace becomes operative for the paśu.
Significance: Frames the inner pilgrimage: cultivating kṣamā, dayā, satya, ahiṃsā and sustained japa-dhyāna to become a vessel for Śiva’s anugraha.
Type: panchakshara
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that liberation-oriented Shaiva practice is grounded in ethical purification—forgiveness, charity, compassion, truth, and non-violence—together with inner contentment and peace, which make japa and meditation fruitful and prepare the soul for Shiva’s grace.
Linga-worship and Saguna Shiva devotion are not merely external rites; this verse insists on inner qualities—śīla, śānti, and santoṣa—so that worship becomes a living offering, aligning the devotee’s conduct with Shiva’s auspicious nature.
It directly recommends japa and dhyāna; in a Shiva Purana context this is commonly practiced as steady repetition of the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") with meditative absorption, supported by a non-violent, truthful, and compassionate life.