Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 65
मन्त्रसिद्ध्यर्थं गुरुपूजा–आज्ञा–पौरश्चर्यविधिः / Guru-Authorization, Offerings, and Puraścaraṇa for Mantra-Siddhi
अन्त्यजस्यापि मूर्खस्य मूढस्य पतितस्य च । निर्मर्यादस्य नीचस्य मंत्रो ऽयं न च निष्फलः । सर्वावस्थां गतस्यापि मयि भक्तिमतः परम् । सिध्यत्येव न संदेहो नापरस्य तु कस्यचित्
antyajasyāpi mūrkhasya mūḍhasya patitasya ca | nirmaryādasya nīcasya maṃtro 'yaṃ na ca niṣphalaḥ | sarvāvasthāṃ gatasyāpi mayi bhaktimataḥ param | sidhyatyeva na saṃdeho nāparasya tu kasyacit
حتى لمن هو في أدنى حال، وللأحمق، والمغترّ، والساقط—بل حتى لعديم الحياء والوضيع—فإن هذه المانترا لا تكون قطّ بلا ثمرة. وأيّ إنسان، مهما بلغ من حال، إن كان له نحوي بَكْتيٌ عليا، فإنها تتحقق لا محالة—لا شكّ في ذلك. أمّا لغيره فلا تنجح.
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Significance: Radical inclusivity of Śiva’s grace: even the socially/religiously marginalized can begin with the mantra; yet the decisive condition is bhakti to Śiva—pilgrimage without devotion is declared ineffective.
Mantra: नमः शिवाय (implied by ‘this mantra’)
Type: panchakshara
Role: liberating
FAQs
It declares that Shiva’s mantra bears fruit not by social status or past faults, but by sincere devotion to Shiva (Pati); even the most fallen can be uplifted when bhakti is present, while mantra without devotion becomes ineffective.
In Shaiva practice, mantra-japa is typically supported by Saguna worship such as Linga-puja; this verse emphasizes that the decisive factor is inner devotion to Shiva, making external eligibility secondary when the heart is fixed on the Lord.
Regular Shiva-mantra japa (especially the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with single-pointed bhakti; accompany it with simple Linga worship, vibhuti (Tripundra) and Rudraksha if available, but prioritize devotion over display.