Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 3
भक्ताधिकारि-द्विजधर्म-योगिलक्षणवर्णनम् / Duties of Qualified Devotees and Marks of Yogins
सत्यं संतोषमास्तिक्यमहिंसा सर्वजंतुषु । ह्रीश्रद्धाध्ययनं योगस्सदाध्यापनमेव च
satyaṃ saṃtoṣamāstikyamahiṃsā sarvajaṃtuṣu | hrīśraddhādhyayanaṃ yogassadādhyāpanameva ca
真实、知足、对神圣的信受（āstikya），以及对一切众生的不害（ahimsa）；惭愧端肃、恭敬之信（śraddhā）、研习圣教、瑜伽之修持，并恒常教导他人——此皆为所称赞之德。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Sthala Purana: General ethical-yogic qualifications rather than a shrine legend; it describes sādhana that purifies the paśu and makes it fit for Śiva-jñāna.
Significance: Frames pilgrimage as inner transformation: satya, ahiṃsā, śraddhā, adhyayana, yoga, and teaching stabilize dharma and open the channel for anugraha.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It lists the core sādhana of character—truth, contentment, faith, non-violence, modesty, scriptural study, and yoga—showing that purification of the pashu (individual soul) is essential before higher Shaiva realization and liberation by Shiva’s grace.
Linga worship is not only ritual; it is supported by ethical and yogic discipline. These virtues make the devotee fit for Saguna Shiva worship, steady japa and pūjā, and for receiving Shiva’s anugraha (grace) that leads beyond bondage.
It directly recommends yoga and continual study/recitation; in Shaiva practice this is naturally paired with daily japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), scriptural svādhyāya, and living ahimsa and satya as the foundation of worship.