Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 36
पञ्चाक्षरीविद्यायाḥ कलियुगे मोक्षोपायः | The Pañcākṣarī Vidyā as a Means of Liberation in Kali Yuga
प्रोक्तवानहमार्याणां जगत्सृष्टिविवृद्धये । ततस्ते मंत्रमाहात्म्यादृषयस्तपसेधिताः
proktavānahamāryāṇāṃ jagatsṛṣṭivivṛddhaye | tataste maṃtramāhātmyādṛṣayastapasedhitāḥ
J’ai enseigné aux nobles pour la création et l’accroissement du monde. Ensuite, ces sages—ému par la grandeur de ce mantra—s’adonnèrent avec fermeté à l’austérité (tapas).
Suta Goswami (narrating the Vāyavīya teaching to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga narrative; it frames mantra-upadeśa as serving jagat-sṛṣṭi-vivṛddhi (world’s orderly flourishing) and motivating sages toward tapas.
Significance: Highlights the purāṇic view that mantra is not merely personal salvation-technique but also supports loka-saṅgraha (cosmic/social order).
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that mantra is not merely sound but Shiva’s power (śakti) that awakens dharma and spiritual resolve; when its glory is understood, seekers naturally turn toward tapas—self-discipline that purifies the pashu (bound soul) and loosens pāśa (bondage) under Pati’s grace.
Mantra-mahātmyā is commonly realized through saguna upāsanā—japa and worship directed to Shiva as the approachable Lord, often with the Liṅga as the focal support; the verse highlights that such mantra-centered devotion culminates in inner steadiness and purification.
Regular mantra-japa with disciplined tapas: keep a vow of purity, perform daily Shiva remembrance, and combine japa with simple austerities (regulated food, silence, night-vigil on Mahāśivarātri); if following Shaiva custom, support it with vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and Rudrākṣa while maintaining ethical restraints.