शिवव्रतैकनिष्ठस्य नाशौचं न च सूतकम् । ललाटेऽग्रे सितं भस्म तिलकं धारयेन्मृदा ८२ ।
Being the devotee of Śiva and devoted to his sacred rites he need not observe impurity accruing from death or birth in the family. The characteristic sign of a devotee of Śiva is that he has a circular dot of white ashes or mud put by himself or by his preceptor on the top of his forehead.
The characteristics of a devotee of Shiva are marked by the actions of both their own hands and the hands of the Guru. The word 'Guru' is explained as one who binds the qualities (of the devotee).
The Guru, who transcends the qualities (gunas) of nature, including the rajasic and tamasic qualities, removes all those imperfections. He, being beyond the three gunas, takes the form of the supreme Shiva and is to be sought for refuge.
By transcending the three gunas, the Guru directs the disciple towards Shiva, thus awakening them to the Supreme Truth. Therefore, the Guru is called the Guru for those who have surrendered to him.