Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 37
श्रद्धामाहात्म्यं तथा देवीप्रश्नः
The Greatness of Śraddhā and Devī’s Question to Śiva
योगज्ञः पतितो वापि मुच्यते नात्र संशयः । दया कार्याथ सततमहिंसा ज्ञानसंग्रहः । सत्यमस्तेयमास्तिक्यं श्रद्धा चेंद्रियनिग्रहः
yogajñaḥ patito vāpi mucyate nātra saṃśayaḥ | dayā kāryātha satatamahiṃsā jñānasaṃgrahaḥ | satyamasteyamāstikyaṃ śraddhā ceṃdriyanigrahaḥ
即便通达瑜伽之人，纵有失德堕落，亦得解脱——此无疑也。故当恒修慈悲；当持不害（ahimsa）并摄取真实之智；又当守真语、不盗、信奉神圣（āstikya）、具信敬（śraddhā），并制御诸根。
Suta Goswami (narrating Shaiva teachings as preserved in the Vayu Samhita discourse)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Significance: Stresses salvific efficacy of yoga-jñāna under Śiva’s lordship (Paśupati): even moral lapse is not final if true yogic knowing is present, while compassion and ahiṃsā are reaffirmed as supports.
FAQs
It teaches that true yogic knowledge oriented to Shiva can lead to liberation, yet it must be supported by Shaiva dharma—compassion, non-violence, truth, inner discipline, and right understanding—so the soul (pashu) becomes fit for Shiva’s grace (Pati-anugraha).
Linga worship is not merely external; it is meant to purify the worshipper through ethical restraints and inner control. These virtues make devotion to Saguna Shiva mature into steady contemplation, preparing the seeker for Shiva’s liberating grace.
Practice daily sense-restraint and compassion alongside Shaiva japa (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and let worship be grounded in ahiṃsā and satya; this aligns inner yoga with outer Shiva-puja.