Shiva Purana (Books 1 & 7)

आलयं च महेशस्य शिवस्य परमात्मनः राजावसथवत्कल्प्यं शिल्पशास्त्रोक्तलक्षणम्

The abode of Maheśa, Śiva, the Supreme Self, should be constructed like a royal palace, with features described in the science of architecture.

उच्चप्राकारसंभिन्नं भूधराकारगोपुरम् अनेकरत्नसंच्छन्नं हेमद्वारकपाटकम्

It should have high enclosing walls, a gateway resembling a mountain, covered with many jewels, and doors with golden panels.

तप्तजांबूनदमयं रत्नस्तम्भशतावृतम् मुक्तादामवितानाढ्यं विद्रुमद्वारतोरणम्

Made of refined Jambū gold, surrounded by hundreds of jeweled pillars, adorned with canopies of pearl garlands, and with coral gateways and arches.

चामीकरमयैर्दिव्यैर्मुकुटैः कुम्भलक्षणैः

With divine crowns made of gold, adorned with the marks of pitchers,

राजन्यार्हनिवासैश्च राजवीथ्यादिशोभितैः प्रोच्छ्रितप्रांशुशिखरैः प्रासादैश्च समंततः

With royal mansions worthy of kings, beautified by royal avenues and the like, and with lofty, towering palaces rising everywhere,

आस्थानस्थानवर्यैश्च स्थितैर्दिक्षु विदिक्षु च अत्यन्तालंकृतप्रांतमंतरावरणैरिव

With excellent seats and stations established in all directions and intermediate quarters, as if with inner enclosures most splendidly decorated,

उत्तमस्त्रीसहस्रैश्च नृत्यगेयविशारदैः वेणुवीणाविदग्धैश्च पुरुषैर्बहुभिर्युतम्

Accompanied by thousands of the finest women skilled in dance and song, and by many men adept with flute and lute,

रक्षितं रक्षिभिर्वीरैर्गजवाजिरथान्वितैः अनेकपुष्पवाटीभिरनेकैश्च सरोवरैः

Guarded by heroic protectors, accompanied by elephants, horses, and chariots, with many flower gardens and numerous lakes,

दीर्घिकाभिरनेकाभिर्दिग्विदिक्षु विराजितम् वेदवेदांततत्त्वज्ञैश्शिवशास्त्रपरायणैः

Radiant in all directions with many long reservoirs, and with those who know the Vedas, Vedānta, and the essence of the scriptures, devoted to the teachings of Śiva,

शिवाश्रमरतैर्भक्तैः शिवशास्त्रोक्तलक्षणैः शांतैः स्मितमुखैः स्फीतैः सदाचारपरायणैः

With devotees delighting in Śiva's hermitages, marked by the characteristics taught in Śiva's scriptures, peaceful, smiling, prosperous, and devoted to good conduct,

शैवैर्माहेश्वरैश्चैव श्रीमद्भिस्सेवितद्विजैः एवमंतर्बहिर्वाथयथाशक्तिविनिर्मितैः

With Śaivas and Maheśvaras, and revered twice-born ones in attendance, thus, both inside and outside, constructed according to one's ability,

स्थाने शिलामये दांते दारवे चेष्टकामये केवलं मृन्मये वापि पुण्यारण्ये ऽथ वा गिरौ

In a place made of stone, or of wood, or of bricks, or even of mere clay, in a sacred forest or on a mountain,

नद्यां देवालये ऽन्यत्र देशे वाथ गृहे शुभे आढ्यो वाथ दरिद्रो वा स्वकां शक्तिमवंचयन् द्रव्यैर्न्यायार्जितैरेव भक्त्या देवं समर्चयेत्

In a river, a temple, elsewhere, in a region, or in an auspicious house—whether wealthy or poor, not neglecting one's own capacity, one should worship the god with devotion, using only wealth acquired justly,

अथान्यायार्जितैश्चापि भक्त्या चेच्छिवमर्चयेत् न तस्य प्रत्यवायो ऽस्ति भाववश्यो यतः प्रभुः

But even if one worships Śiva with devotion using wealth acquired unjustly, there is no fault for him, for the Lord is bound by the devotee's intention,

न्यायार्जितैरपि द्रव्यैरभक्त्या पूजयेद्यदि न तत्फलमवाप्नोति भक्तिरेवात्र कारणम्

But if one worships without devotion, even with wealth acquired justly, he does not obtain the result; here, devotion alone is the cause,

भक्त्या वित्तानुसारेण शिवमुद्दिश्य यत्कृतम् अल्पे महति वा तुल्यं फलमाढ्यदरिद्रयोः

Whatever is done with devotion, according to one's means, for the sake of Śiva—whether little or great—the result is the same for the rich and the poor,

भक्त्या प्रचोदितः कुर्यादल्पवित्तोपि मानवः महाविभवसारोपि न कुर्याद्भक्तिवर्जितः

Even a man of little wealth, impelled by devotion, should act; but one endowed with great riches, if devoid of devotion, should not act,

सर्वस्वमपि यो दद्याच्छिवे भक्तिविवर्जितः न तेन फलभाक्स स्याद्भक्तिरेवात्र कारणम्

Even if one gives everything to Śiva without devotion, he does not partake of the fruit; here, devotion alone is the cause,

न तत्तपोभिरत्युग्रैर्न च सर्वैर्महामखैः गच्छेच्छिवपुरं दिव्यं मुक्त्वा भक्तिं शिवात्मकम्

Not by severe austerities nor by all great sacrifices does one attain the divine city of Śiva, except through devotion that is of the nature of Śiva,

गुह्याद्गुह्यतरं कृष्ण सर्वत्र परमेश्वरे शिवे भक्तिर्न संदेहस्तया भक्तो विमुच्यते

O Kṛṣṇa, devotion to the Supreme Lord Śiva is more secret than the most secret; there is no doubt that by that devotion, the devotee is liberated,

शिवमंत्रजपो ध्यानं होमो यज्ञस्तपःश्रुतम् दानमध्ययनं सर्वे भावार्थं नात्र संशयः

Recitation of Śiva's mantra, meditation, fire-offering, sacrifice, austerity, study, charity, and all learning—these are all for the sake of inner feeling; there is no doubt about this.

भावहीनो नरस्सर्वं कृत्वापि न विमुच्यते भावयुक्तः पुनस्सर्वमकृत्वापि विमुच्यते

A man who acts without devotion is not liberated, even after performing everything; but one endowed with devotion is freed, even without performing anything.

चांद्रायणसहस्रैश्च प्राजापत्यशतैस्तथा मासोपवासैश्चान्यैश्च शिवभक्तस्य किं पुनः

What need is there for a devotee of Shiva to perform thousands of Cāndrāyaṇa vows, hundreds of Prājāpatya rites, or other monthly fasts?

अभक्ता मानवाश्चास्मिंल्लोके गिरिगुहासु च तपंति चाल्पभोगार्थं भक्तो भावेन मुच्यते

Men without devotion perform austerities in this world and in mountain caves, seeking only small enjoyments; but one who is devoted, with true feeling, is liberated.

सात्त्विकं मुक्तिदं कर्म सत्त्वे वै योगिनः स्थिताः राजसं सिद्धिदं कुर्युः कर्मिणो रजसावृताः

Action performed in the mode of goodness grants liberation; yogis abide in goodness. Those covered by passion perform action that grants success.

असुरा राक्षसाश्चैव तमोगुणसमन्विताः ऐहिकार्थं यजन्तीशं नराश्चान्ये ऽपि तादृशाः

Demons and Rākṣasas, endowed with the quality of darkness, and other such men, worship the Lord for worldly gain.

तामसं राजसं वापि सात्त्विकं भावमेव च आश्रित्य भक्त्या पूजाद्यं कुर्वन्भद्रं समश्नुते

Relying on devotion, whether their disposition is dark, passionate, or good, one who worships the Lord attains auspiciousness.

यतः पापार्णवात्त्रातुं भक्तिर्नौरिव निर्मिता तस्माद्भक्त्युपपन्नस्य रजसा तमसा च किम्

Because devotion is fashioned like a boat to save one from the ocean of sin, what use are passion or darkness for one endowed with devotion?

अन्त्यजो वाधमो वापि मूर्खो वा पतितो ऽपि वा शिवं प्रपन्नश्चेत्कृष्ण पूज्यस्सर्वसुरासुरैः

Even if one is of the lowest birth, the most fallen, ignorant, or degraded, if he surrenders to Shiva, O Krishna, he is worthy of worship by all gods and demons.