Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 26
शैवधर्मप्रशंसा तथा पञ्चविधसाधनविभागः / Praise of Śaiva Dharma and the Fivefold Classification of Practice
पदमेव हि तन्नित्यमनित्याः पदिनः स्मृताः । पदानां प्रतिकृत्तौ तु मुच्यन्ते पदिनो यतः
padameva hi tannityamanityāḥ padinaḥ smṛtāḥ | padānāṃ pratikṛttau tu mucyante padino yataḥ
That Supreme Abode alone is eternal; those who tread the path are remembered as impermanent. Yet, by cutting off attachment to the “steps”—limited states and supports—the travellers are liberated, for freedom lies in transcending the steps and attaining that Abode.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Role: liberating
FAQs
It distinguishes the eternal “Padam” (the Supreme state of Shiva, Pati) from the impermanent condition of the bound soul (pashu) and teaches that liberation arises when the seeker severs attachment to finite supports and states, resting in the eternal Reality.
Linga-worship and Saguna upasana function as sacred “steps” that purify and steady the mind; the verse points to their culmination—realizing Shiva as the eternal Padam—without clinging to the supports as ends in themselves.
Practice steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with disciplined worship (e.g., Tripundra-bhasma and Rudraksha as aids), while cultivating detachment—using the supports to rise, then letting go of attachment to the supports to abide in Shiva.