Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 96
अनुग्रह-स्वातन्त्र्य-प्रमाणविचारः | Inquiry into Pramāṇa, Divine Autonomy, and Grace
मुनयो विस्मयाविष्टाः प्रेणेमुः पवनं प्रभुम् । तथा विगतसन्देहान्कृत्वापि पवनो मुनीन्
munayo vismayāviṣṭāḥ preṇemuḥ pavanaṃ prabhum | tathā vigatasandehānkṛtvāpi pavano munīn
Die Weisen, von Staunen ergriffen, verneigten sich ehrfürchtig vor dem Herrn Pavana (Vāyu). Und auch Pavana—nachdem er ihre Zweifel zerstreut hatte—erwies den Weisen seinerseits Ehre.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights saṃśaya-nivṛtti (removal of doubt) as a key step toward right knowledge and devotion; when clarity arises, reverence naturally flows, and even the teacher honors the worthy seeker—reflecting the Shaiva path of humility and disciplined understanding.
Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is grounded in śraddhā and correct understanding; this verse shows that when doubts are cleared by authoritative instruction, the mind becomes fit for steady bhakti toward Saguna Shiva and for approaching the Linga with focused reverence.
A practical takeaway is to begin Shiva worship with pranāma (bowing) and a brief moment of inquiry and inner settling—seeking clarity of doctrine and intention—so japa (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and pūjā are performed without hesitation or confusion.