Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 35
शिवसंस्कार-दीक्षानिरूपणम् (Śivasaṃskāra and the Typology of Dīkṣā)
गुरुप्रियकरः शिष्यः शैवधर्मांस्ततो ऽर्हति । गुरुश्चेद्गुणवान्प्राज्ञः परमानंदभासकः
gurupriyakaraḥ śiṣyaḥ śaivadharmāṃstato 'rhati | guruścedguṇavānprājñaḥ paramānaṃdabhāsakaḥ
弟子若以令上师欢喜之行而行，便堪受持湿婆之法（Śaiva Dharma）的诸般戒律与修持。若上师具德而有智，能照耀至上安乐，则此传承方真正结成果实。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches the Shaiva Siddhanta principle that spiritual knowledge is received through proper adhikāra (eligibility): the disciple must be humble and service-oriented toward the Guru, and the Guru must be established in virtue and discernment, capable of revealing paramānanda (liberating bliss).
Linga-worship and Saguna Shiva upāsanā are not merely external acts; they are disciplines learned correctly from a competent Guru. When the disciple is receptive and the Guru is illumined, the practices lead from ritual devotion toward inner realization of Shiva as Pati, the bestower of liberation.
The verse implies disciplined initiation and instruction—such as japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), proper observances, and Shaiva conduct—undertaken under a qualified Guru’s guidance rather than by mere imitation.