Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 47
शिशुकस्य शिवशास्त्रप्राप्तिः (Śiśuka’s Attainment of Śaiva Teaching and Grace)
अघोरास्त्रं च शैवानां रक्षाहेतुरनुत्तमम् । तच्च तत्प्रभवं मत्वा तत्परो भव नान्यथा
aghorāstraṃ ca śaivānāṃ rakṣāheturanuttamam | tacca tatprabhavaṃ matvā tatparo bhava nānyathā
Das Aghora-Astra ist für die Verehrer Śivas die unübertreffliche Ursache des Schutzes. Erkenne, dass es aus Jenem (dem höchsten Śiva) hervorgeht und allein Ihm gehört, und sei ganz Jenem hingegeben — nicht anders.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s protective teaching within the Vāyavīya discourse)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Āghoramūrti
Significance: Frames Śiva’s protective power (rakṣā) as arising from the Supreme; encourages exclusive śaraṇāgati to Śiva as the true refuge.
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches that true protection for a Śaiva is not merely external but arises from aligning oneself with Śiva alone—recognizing all power as Śiva-born and becoming single-pointed (tat-para) in devotion and refuge.
The ‘Aghora’ power is a Saguna expression of Śiva’s grace that protects the devotee; Linga-worship embodies the same truth—approaching the Supreme through a sacred form, then resting the mind in Śiva as the ultimate source.
Adopt a protection-oriented Śaiva sādhanā: remembrance of Śiva (japa such as the Pañcākṣarī), mental surrender to Śiva as the sole refuge (tat-para-bhāva), and disciplined purity consistent with Śaiva observances.