Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 1
अनुग्रह-स्वातन्त्र्य-प्रमाणविचारः | Inquiry into Pramāṇa, Divine Autonomy, and Grace
वायुरुवाच । स्थने संशयितं विप्रा भवद्भिर्हेतुचोदितैः । जिज्ञासा हि न नास्तिक्यं साधयेत्साधुबुद्धिषु
vāyuruvāca | sthane saṃśayitaṃ viprā bhavadbhirhetucoditaiḥ | jijñāsā hi na nāstikyaṃ sādhayetsādhubuddhiṣu
قال فايُو: «يا أيها البراهمة، لقد ساوركم الشك في موضعه اللائق بدافع الاستدلال. فإنّ طلب المعرفة لا يُنبت الإلحاد في عقول ذوي الفضيلة الحقّة».
Vayu
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Legitimizes dhārmic inquiry: doubt in the ‘proper place’ becomes a doorway to grace and right knowledge rather than atheism.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It affirms that sincere questioning, when rooted in a noble intent, is a legitimate path toward right understanding of Pati (Śiva), Pāśa, and Paśu—doubt becomes a doorway to clarity rather than a fall into denial.
It supports approaching Linga-worship with informed understanding: reasoning and inquiry refine devotion, helping the seeker grasp how Saguna forms (like the Linga) lead the mind toward the higher truth of Śiva.
The verse primarily recommends jijnāsā (disciplined inquiry) alongside devotion—practically, study and contemplation of Śiva-tattva while maintaining steady mantra-japa (e.g., the Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”).