Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 59
मन्त्रसिद्ध्यर्थं गुरुपूजा–आज्ञा–पौरश्चर्यविधिः / Guru-Authorization, Offerings, and Puraścaraṇa for Mantra-Siddhi
आस्तिकश्चेत्प्रमादाद्यैः सदाचारादविच्युतः । न दुष्यति नरो नित्यं तस्मादास्तिकतां व्रजेत् । यथेहास्ति सुखं दुःखं सुकृतैर्दुष्कृतैरपि । तथा परत्र चास्तीति मतिरास्तिक्यमुच्यते
āstikaścetpramādādyaiḥ sadācārādavicyutaḥ | na duṣyati naro nityaṃ tasmādāstikatāṃ vrajet | yathehāsti sukhaṃ duḥkhaṃ sukṛtairduṣkṛtairapi | tathā paratra cāstīti matirāstikyamucyate
若有人为阿斯提迦（āstika），纵因疏忽等缘故亦不离萨达恰拉（sadācāra）之正行，则其人恒不染污；故当归向阿斯提迦塔（āstikatā）——真实的信受。正如在此世，乐与苦由善业与恶业而生；如是于后世亦必然存在——此种笃定之见，名为阿斯提迦（āstikya）。
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Highlights karmaphala-niyati (moral causality across worlds) as a pillar of āstikya; strengthens resolve for vrata, dāna, and Śiva-bhakti undertaken during pilgrimage.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It defines āstikya as firm conviction in dharma and karma-phala across this life and the next, urging steadfast sadācāra; in Shaiva Siddhanta, such moral clarity purifies the pashu (bound soul) and prepares it for Shiva’s grace (anugraha).
Linga/Saguna Shiva worship is not merely external; it is supported by āstikya and right conduct. Faith in karma and the hereafter strengthens vrata, pūjā, and devotion so they become consistent offerings to Shiva rather than occasional acts.
The verse primarily prescribes ethical discipline (sadācāra) and steady conviction; as a practical Shaiva takeaway, maintain daily Shiva-japa (e.g., Panchakshara) and vrata with sincerity, using them to reinforce accountability for actions and their fruits.