Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 6
अन्तराय-उपसर्ग-विवेचनम् / Analysis of Yogic Obstacles (Antarāyas) and Upasargas
विपर्यस्ता मतिर्या सा भ्रांतिरित्यभिधीयते । दुःखमज्ञानजं पुंसां चित्तस्याध्यात्मिकं विदुः
viparyastā matiryā sā bhrāṃtirityabhidhīyate | duḥkhamajñānajaṃ puṃsāṃ cittasyādhyātmikaṃ viduḥ
Die Erkenntnis, die verkehrt geworden ist, heißt „bhrānti“ — Verblendung. Die Weisen wissen: Das Leiden der Menschen, aus Unwissenheit (ajñāna) geboren, ist ein inneres (ādhyātmika) Leiden, das dem Geist angehört.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s philosophical teaching to the sages in the Vayu Samhita context)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: liberating
FAQs
It identifies the root of bondage as bhrānti—wrong or inverted understanding—and explains that suffering is primarily an inner mental affliction born of ajñāna. From a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, removing this ignorance through Shiva-centered knowledge and discipline loosens pāśa (bondage) for the paśu (individual soul).
Linga worship and Saguna Shiva upāsanā steady the mind and correct viparyasta-mati by reorienting awareness toward Pati (Shiva) as the true refuge. As delusion subsides, devotion becomes a means to inner clarity, preparing one for deeper realization of Shiva beyond mere mental projection.
A practical takeaway is chitta-śuddhi through japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and focused meditation to remove bhrānti. Supporting Shaiva disciplines like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa can be adopted as aids to remembrance and inner steadiness.