Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 35
मन्त्रसिद्ध्यर्थं गुरुपूजा–आज्ञा–पौरश्चर्यविधिः / Guru-Authorization, Offerings, and Puraścaraṇa for Mantra-Siddhi
शतं स्याच्छंखमणिभिः प्रवालैस्तु सहस्रकम् । स्फटिकैर्दशसाहस्रं मौक्तिकैर्लक्षमुच्यते । पद्माक्षैर्दशलक्षन्तु सौवर्णैः कोटिरुच्यते । कुशग्रंथ्या च रुद्राक्षैरनंतगुणितं भवेत्
śataṃ syācchaṃkhamaṇibhiḥ pravālaistu sahasrakam | sphaṭikairdaśasāhasraṃ mauktikairlakṣamucyate | padmākṣairdaśalakṣantu sauvarṇaiḥ koṭirucyate | kuśagraṃthyā ca rudrākṣairanaṃtaguṇitaṃ bhavet
Eine Zählung von hundert wird verkündet, wenn (die Gebetskette) aus Muschel-Edelsteinen besteht; mit Koralle heißt es, sie gelte tausend. Mit Sphaṭika (Kristall) gilt sie zehntausend; mit Perlen (mauktika) wird ein Lakh (hunderttausend) ausgerufen. Mit Lotussamen (padmākṣa) sind es zehn Lakhs; mit Gold wird ein Crore (zehn Millionen) genannt. Doch mit einer Kette, die mit Kuśa-Gras geknüpft ist, und mit Rudrākṣa-Perlen wird das Verdienst unendlich vervielfacht—durch die Gnade Śivas, des Pati (Souveräns) aller Wesen.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Vāyavīyasaṃhitā teaching to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Significance: Elevates rudrākṣa and kuśa-knotted mālā as uniquely Śaiva supports for japa-siddhi, emphasizing Śiva’s lordship (Pati) and grace over mere material valuation.
FAQs
The verse teaches a Shaiva principle: the fruit of japa is not merely numerical but depends on sanctity, devotion, and Śiva-connected supports. Rudrākṣa—bearing Rudra’s association—makes the same practice vastly more potent, pointing the seeker toward grace (anugraha) and liberation.
Rudrākṣa and kuśa-granthi are aids for Saguna Śiva-upāsanā—devotional japa and worship directed to Śiva with attributes (as the compassionate Lord who grants purification). Such disciplined practice supports inner steadiness, preparing the devotee for deeper realization of Śiva beyond form.
Perform mantra-japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) using a Rudrākṣa mala, ideally with traditional kuśa-knotting, maintaining purity, steadiness, and devotion; the text emphasizes that this greatly magnifies the spiritual fruit.