Shiva Purana (Books 1 & 7)

प्राक् संस्कारवशादेव ये विचिंत्य फलाफले विवशा मां प्रपद्यंते मम प्रियतमा मताः

Those who, due to previous conditioning, think about results or their absence and helplessly take refuge in me—these are considered my dearest.

मल्लाभान्न परो लाभस्तेषामस्ति यथातथम् ममापि लाभस्तल्लाभान्नापरः परमेश्वरि

There is no greater gain for them than what they have obtained, just as for me also, O Supreme Lady, there is no gain higher than that gain.

मदनुग्रहतस्तेषां भावो मयि समर्पितः फलं परमनिर्वाणं प्रयच्छति बलादिव

By my favor, their devotion is offered to me; that devotion bestows the supreme liberation, just as strength does.

महात्मनामनन्यानां मयि संन्यस्तचेतसाम् अष्टधा लक्षणं प्राहुर्मम धर्माधिकारिणाम्

For the great souls who are wholly devoted to me, with their minds surrendered to me, eightfold are the marks declared of those entitled to my dharma.

मद्भक्तजनवात्सल्यं पूजायां चानुमोदनम् स्वयमभ्यर्चनं चैव मदर्थे चांगचेष्टितम्

Affection for my devotees, approval in worship, personally performing worship, and actions of the limbs for my sake—

मत्कथाश्रवणे भक्तिः स्वरनेत्रांगविक्रियाः ममानुस्मरणं नित्यं यश्च मामुपजीवति

Devotion in hearing my stories, transformations of voice, eyes, and body, constant remembrance of me, and one who lives depending on me—

एवमष्टविधं चिह्नं यस्मिन् म्लेच्छे ऽपि वर्तते स विप्रेन्द्रो मुनिः श्रीमान्स यतिस्स च पंडितः

Where these eightfold signs are found, even in a mleccha, he is foremost among Brahmins, a sage, glorious, an ascetic, and a learned one.

न मे प्रियश्चतुर्वेदी मद्भक्तो श्वपचो ऽपि यः तस्मै देयं ततो ग्राह्यं स च पूज्यो यथा ह्यहम्

One who is devoted to me, even if he is a dog-eater, is dearer to me than a knower of the four Vedas; to him should gifts be given and received, and he is to be worshipped just as I am.

पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति तस्याहं न प्रणश्यामि स च मे न प्रणश्यति

Whoever offers me a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water with devotion—I do not abandon him, nor does he abandon me.

अथ वक्ष्यामि देवेशि भक्तानामधिकारिणाम् विदुषां द्विजमुख्यानां वर्णधर्मसमासतः

Now, O Lady of the gods, I shall declare in summary the duties of caste for the qualified devotees, the learned, and the foremost twice-born.

त्रिः स्नानं चाग्निकार्यं च लिंगार्चनमनुक्रमम् दानमीश्ररभावश्च दया सर्वत्र सर्वदा

Bathing thrice, tending the sacred fire, regular worship of the liṅga, giving, humility before the Lord, and compassion always and everywhere—

सत्यं संतोषमास्तिक्यमहिंसा सर्वजंतुषु ह्रीश्रद्धाध्ययनं योगस्सदाध्यापनमेव च

Truthfulness, contentment, faith, nonviolence toward all beings, modesty, devotion, study, yoga, and always teaching as well—

व्याख्यानं ब्रह्मचर्यं च श्रवणं च तपः क्षमा शौचं शिखोपवीतं च उष्णीषं चोत्तरीयकम्

Explanation, celibacy, listening, austerity, forgiveness, purity, wearing the tuft and sacred thread, turban, and upper garment—

निषिद्धासेवनं चैव भस्मरुद्राक्षधारणम् पर्वण्यभ्यर्चनं देवि चतुर्दश्यां विशेषतः

Avoiding forbidden acts, wearing ash and rudrākṣa beads, worship on festival days, especially on the fourteenth day, O Goddess—

पानं च ब्रह्मकूर्चस्य मासि मासि यथाविधि अभ्यर्चनं विशेषेण तेनैव स्नाप्य मां प्रिये

Drinking the water of the Brahma-kūrcha each month as prescribed, special worship, and with that, bathing me, O beloved—

सर्वक्रियान्न सन्त्यागः श्रद्धान्नस्य च वर्जनम् तथा पर्युषितान्नस्य यावकस्य विशेषतः

Not abandoning all duties, avoiding food given without faith, and especially avoiding stale food and yāvaka grains—

मद्यस्य मद्यगन्धस्य नैवेद्यस्य च वर्जनम् सामान्यं सर्ववर्णानां ब्राह्मणानां विशेषतः

Abstaining from liquor, from food smelling of liquor, and from offerings of such; this is common to all castes, especially for Brahmins.

क्षमा शांतिश्च सन्तोषस्सत्यमस्तेयमेव च ब्रह्मचर्यं मम ज्ञानं वैराग्यं भस्मसेवनम्

Forgiveness, peace, contentment, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, my knowledge, detachment, and use of sacred ash—

सर्वसंगनिवृत्तिश्च दशैतानि विशेषतः लिंगानि योगिनां भूयो दिवा भिक्षाशनं तथा

And complete withdrawal from all attachments—these ten are especially the marks of yogins, along with begging for food by day.

वानप्रस्थाश्रमस्थानां समानमिदमिष्यते रात्रौ न भोजनं कार्यं सर्वेषां ब्रह्मचारिणाम्

For those dwelling in the forest-dweller stage, this rule is the same: none of the celibates should eat at night.

अध्यापनं याजनं च क्षत्रियस्याप्रतिग्रहः वैश्यस्य च विशेषेण मया नात्र विधीयते

Teaching and officiating at sacrifices are permitted for a Kshatriya, but accepting gifts is not; especially for a Vaishya, I do not prescribe these here.

रक्षणं सर्ववर्णानां युद्धे शत्रुवधस्तथा दुष्टपक्षिमृगाणां च दुष्टानां शातनं नृणाम्

Protection of all classes, slaying enemies in battle, and the destruction of wicked birds, beasts, and evil men are duties.

अविश्वासश्च सर्वत्र विश्वासो मम योगिषु स्त्रीसंसर्गश्च कालेषु चमूरक्षणमेव च

Distrust everywhere, trust only in yogis, avoidance of women at improper times, and guarding the army—these are also duties.

सदा संचारितैश्चारैर्लोकवृत्तांतवेदनम् सदास्त्रधारणं चैव भस्मकंचुकधारणम्

Constant gathering of information through spies, always knowing the affairs of the people, bearing weapons at all times, and wearing an ash-covered garment are prescribed.

राज्ञां ममाश्रमस्थानामेष धर्मस्य संग्रहः गोरक्षणं च वाणिज्यं कृषिर्वैश्यस्य कथ्यते

O kings, this is the summary of dharma for those in my āśramas; for a Vaishya, protection of cows, trade, and agriculture are declared.

शुश्रूषेतरवर्णानां धर्मः शूद्रस्य कथ्यते उद्यानकरणं चैव मम क्षेत्रसमाश्रयः

For a Shudra, service to the other classes is prescribed as dharma, as well as making gardens and residing in my fields.

धर्मपत्न्यास्तु गमनं गृहस्थस्य विधीयते ब्रह्मचर्यं वनस्थानां यतीनां ब्रह्मचारिणाम्

For a householder, union with the lawful wife is prescribed; for forest-dwellers, ascetics, and celibates, celibacy is enjoined.

स्त्रीणां तु भर्तृशुश्रूषा धर्मो नान्यस्सनातनः ममार्चनं च कल्याणि नियोगो भर्तुरस्ति चेत्

For women, service to the husband is the eternal dharma, none other; and, O auspicious one, worship of me is enjoined if the husband commands.

या नारी भर्तृशुश्रूषां विहाय व्रततत्परा सा नारी नरकं याति नात्र कार्या विचारणा

A woman who neglects service to her husband and is devoted to vows instead—such a woman goes to hell; there should be no doubt about this.