Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 82
अनुग्रह-स्वातन्त्र्य-प्रमाणविचारः | Inquiry into Pramāṇa, Divine Autonomy, and Grace
कथं दुःखं करोतीति नात्र कार्या विचारणा । दुःखमेव हि सर्वो ऽपि संसार इति निश्चितम्
kathaṃ duḥkhaṃ karotīti nātra kāryā vicāraṇā | duḥkhameva hi sarvo 'pi saṃsāra iti niścitam
There is no need here to deliberate on how it produces suffering; for it is firmly concluded that the entire saṃsāra, the round of worldly existence, is nothing but suffering itself.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
The verse establishes a key Shaiva philosophical stance: conditioned existence is intrinsically duḥkha, so liberation must be sought through turning toward Pati (Shiva) rather than trying to perfect samsaric life.
Recognizing samsara as duḥkha motivates refuge in Saguna Shiva through Linga-upasana; devotion and surrender purify the pashu (bound soul) and loosen pasha (bondage), leading toward Shiva-realization.
The practical takeaway is vairagya supported by Shiva-sadhana—steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and contemplative inquiry into the nature of bondage, alongside simple disciplines like bhasma and rudraksha when undertaken with devotion.