Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 5

पञ्चाक्षरीविद्यायाḥ कलियुगे मोक्षोपायः | The Pañcākṣarī Vidyā as a Means of Liberation in Kali Yuga

Devanagari script

मनोवाक्कायजैर्दोषैर्वक्तुं स्मर्तुमगोचरैः । दूषितानां कृतघ्नानां निंदकानां छलात्मनाम्

Transliteration

manovākkāyajairdoṣairvaktuṃ smartumagocaraiḥ | dūṣitānāṃ kṛtaghnānāṃ niṃdakānāṃ chalātmanām

Translation

Ceux dont la nature est souillée—ingrats, dénigreurs et trompeurs—sont mus par des défauts nés du mental, de la parole et du corps; et, à cause de ces fautes, ils deviennent indignes même de dire ou de se souvenir de la vérité pure de Śiva, au-delà de la pensée ordinaire.

Word by Word

• mano-vāk-kāya-jaiḥ: by (faults) arising from mind, speech, and body
• mano-vāk-kāya-jaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: manas (प्रातिपदिक) + vāc (प्रातिपदिक) + kāya (प्रातिपदिक) + ja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन); ‘born of mind, speech, and body’

• doṣaiḥ: by faults
• doṣaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: doṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन)

• vaktum: to speak
• vaktum: Kriyārtha (क्रियार्थ/infinitival purpose)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (धातु)
• Form: Infinitive (तुमुन्), ‘to speak’

• smartum: to remember
• smartum: Kriyārtha (क्रियार्थ/infinitival purpose)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √smṛ (धातु)
• Form: Infinitive (तुमुन्), ‘to remember’

• a-gocaraiḥ: beyond reach (of speech and thought)
• a-gocaraiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a- (नञ्) + gocara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन); ‘not within range/imperceptible’

• dūṣitānām: of the corrupted/defiled
• dūṣitānām: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dūṣita (कृदन्त; √dūṣ)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Plural (बहुवचन); past passive participle used substantively

• kṛta-ghnānām: of the ungrateful
• kṛta-ghnānām: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (कृदन्त; √kṛ) + ghna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Plural (बहुवचन); ‘slayers of (good) deeds’ i.e., ungrateful

• nindakānām: of the slanderers
• nindakānām: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nindaka (प्रातिपदिक; from √nind)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Plural (बहुवचन)

• chala-ātmanām: of those with deceitful nature
• chala-ātmanām: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: chala (प्रातिपदिक) + ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Plural (बहुवचन); ‘whose nature is deceit’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It teaches that Shiva-tattva is grasped through inner purity; ingrained faults expressed through mind, speech, and body—like ingratitude, slander, and deceit—veil the soul (paśu) and block remembrance and authentic discourse about Pati (Shiva).

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

Linga worship is not merely external; it demands śuddhi (purification) of thought, words, and actions. Without that ethical and devotional refinement, the devotee cannot truly connect with Saguna Shiva’s grace, let alone contemplate the transcendent (nirguṇa) reality indicated by the Linga.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Adopt daily self-restraint and purification: japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with mindful speech, truthful conduct, and repentance for harmful words; support it with Shiva-oriented vrata and simple śauca disciplines (cleanliness and non-slander).