Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 38
शिवसंस्कार-दीक्षानिरूपणम् (Śivasaṃskāra and the Typology of Dīkṣā)
अन्योन्यं तारयेन्नौका किं शिला तारयेच्छिलाम् । एतस्या नाममात्रेण मुक्तिर्वै नाममात्रिका
anyonyaṃ tārayennaukā kiṃ śilā tārayecchilām | etasyā nāmamātreṇa muktirvai nāmamātrikā
Une barque peut faire passer un autre (sur l’autre rive), mais comment une pierre ferait-elle passer une pierre ? Et pourtant, par la seule profération de Son Nom, la délivrance surgit en vérité—une délivrance qui vient du Nom lui-même.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Vayu Samhita discourse to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Durgā
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches that ordinary means cannot liberate what is equally bound (like stone cannot carry stone), but divine grace accessed through sincere remembrance and repetition of the sacred Name can bestow moksha.
In Saguna worship, the devotee approaches Shiva (often through the Linga) with bhakti and nama-japa; the verse emphasizes that even simple invocation of the Divine (Shiva-Shakti) is a potent means when supported by grace.
Nama-japa (repetition of the Divine Name)—such as chanting Om Namaḥ Śivāya with devotion—supported by regular worship practices like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa if one follows Shaiva observance.