Shiva Purana — Vidyesvara Samhita, Shloka 13
Kṣetra–Kāla–Phala-kramaḥ
Hierarchy of Sacred Place, Time, and Ritual Fruit
तपोनिष्ठा ज्ञाननिष्ठा योगिनो यतयस्तथा । पूजायाः पात्रमेते हि पापसंक्षयकारणम्
taponiṣṭhā jñānaniṣṭhā yogino yatayastathā | pūjāyāḥ pātramete hi pāpasaṃkṣayakāraṇam
Những người kiên định trong khổ hạnh, những người an trú trong tri thức chân thực, cũng như các hành giả yoga và những người xuất gia kỷ luật—họ thực sự là những đối tượng xứng đáng để thờ phụng và tôn vinh, vì họ trở thành nguyên nhân cho sự tiêu trừ tội lỗi.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Significance: By honoring realized ascetics (tapasvins, jñānins, yogins, yatins) as worthy pātras, the householder’s dāna/arcana becomes purified and functions as a means for pāpa-kṣaya, supporting eligibility (adhikāra) for Śiva-bhakti and higher sādhana.
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It teaches that honoring those firmly rooted in tapas, jñāna, and yoga is itself a purifying act; such saints function as living vessels of dharma, and reverence toward them helps dissolve pāpa and turn the mind toward Shiva.
In Shaiva practice, Linga-pūjā is supported by satsanga and service to Shiva’s devotees; honoring yogins and renunciants aligns the worshipper with Saguna Shiva’s grace manifest through the guru-saint tradition.
Offer respectful pūjā and dāna to disciplined Shaiva practitioners and cultivate their qualities—tapas, japa (especially the Panchakshara), and meditation—so the mind becomes fit for Shiva-upāsanā.