Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 50
शिवज्ञान-प्रश्नः तथा सृष्टौ शिवस्य स्वयमाविर्भावः
Inquiry into Śiva-knowledge and Śiva’s self-manifestation in creation
तत्र तत्र विभोः शिष्याश्चत्वारः स्युर्महौजसः । शिष्यास्तेषां प्रशिष्याश्च शतशो ऽथ सहस्रशः
tatra tatra vibhoḥ śiṣyāścatvāraḥ syurmahaujasaḥ | śiṣyāsteṣāṃ praśiṣyāśca śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ
في كل موضع كان للربّ الشامل أربعة تلاميذ ذوي بهاءٍ روحيّ عظيم. ثم إن أولئك التلاميذ كان لهم تلاميذ وتلاميذُ تلاميذ—مئاتٍ ثم آلافًا.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights how Śiva’s grace and knowledge flow through a living guru–disciple lineage, expanding from a few illumined teachers into vast communities of seekers—showing that liberation-oriented wisdom is meant to be transmitted and preserved.
The verse emphasizes Saguna Śiva’s compassionate activity in the world—establishing disciples everywhere—by which Linga-worship, mantra, and Shaiva disciplines are taught, safeguarded, and spread through authorized teachers.
It implicitly points to taking refuge in a competent Shaiva guru and receiving disciplined practice—especially mantra-japa (such as the Panchakshara), along with regular worship and yogic conduct—so the teaching can be realized and then responsibly passed on.