Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 20
मङ्गलाचरणम्, तीर्थ-परिसरः, सूतागमनम् — Invocation, Sacred Setting, and the Arrival of Sūta
कस्मात्सम्यङ्न विब्रूयां पुराणमृषिपूजितम् । अभिवंद्य महादेवं देवीं स्कंदं विनायकम्
kasmātsamyaṅna vibrūyāṃ purāṇamṛṣipūjitam | abhivaṃdya mahādevaṃ devīṃ skaṃdaṃ vināyakam
为何我不应当如法宣说这部为诸仙（ṛṣi）所敬仰的《往世书》——在顶礼大天（Mahādeva）、女神，以及斯甘达与毗那夜迦之后？
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Sets the maṅgalācaraṇa pattern: remembrance of Śiva-Śakti and their gaṇas (Skanda, Vināyaka) is treated as auspicious preparation for śravaṇa of Purāṇa, yielding puṇya and eligibility for grace.
Mantra: abhivaṃdya mahādevaṃ devīṃ skaṃdaṃ vināyakam
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It establishes the Shaiva method of sacred transmission: the Purāṇa should be taught “properly” only after reverent salutations to Pati (Śiva) along with Śakti (Devī) and their divine sons, aligning the speaker and listener with auspiciousness and right understanding.
By first bowing to Mahādeva (Saguna Śiva approachable through worship such as the Liṅga) and to Devī, the verse frames Purāṇic teaching as an act of devotion that supports concrete ritual worship while pointing toward Śiva as the supreme Lord (Pati).
A simple but essential practice is implied: begin any recitation or study with praṇāma (salutation) to Śiva and Devī, and invoke Gaṇeśa (Vināyaka) and Skanda for removal of obstacles and steadiness—often accompanied by mental japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”).