Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 57
पाशुपतज्ञानप्रश्नः — Inquiry into Pāśupata Knowledge
Paśu–Pāśa–Paśupati
तां दृष्ट्वा विस्मयाविष्टा देवाः शक्रपुरोगमाः । प्रणम्य यक्षं पप्रच्छुः को ऽसौ यक्षो विलक्षणः
tāṃ dṛṣṭvā vismayāviṣṭā devāḥ śakrapurogamāḥ | praṇamya yakṣaṃ papracchuḥ ko 'sau yakṣo vilakṣaṇaḥ
Als sie diese wunderbare Erscheinung sahen, waren die Götter unter der Führung Indras von Staunen erfüllt. Sie verneigten sich vor dem Yaksha und fragten: „Wer ist dieser außergewöhnliche Yaksha?“
Suta Goswami (narrating the Vayu Samhita account to the sages)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights that even the Devas, when faced with the Supreme Mystery, must abandon pride and approach with reverence; wonder becomes the doorway to right knowledge when it leads to surrender before the higher Reality (Pati).
The Yakṣa functions as a veiled manifestation of the Supreme, reminding devotees that Saguna forms (such as the Linga) compassionately reveal the otherwise incomprehensible Lord; worship begins with namaskāra (bowing) and inquiry rooted in humility.
Practice namaskāra with the Panchakshara spirit—humble surrender—then engage in self-inquiry and japa (e.g., “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to dissolve ego and recognize Shiva as the inner Lord beyond limited powers.