Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 48
पाशुपतज्ञानप्रश्नः — Inquiry into Pāśupata Knowledge
Paśu–Pāśa–Paśupati
स तानाह सुरानेकं तृणमादाय भूतले । य एतद्विकृतं कर्तुं क्षमते स तु दैत्यजित्
sa tānāha surānekaṃ tṛṇamādāya bhūtale | ya etadvikṛtaṃ kartuṃ kṣamate sa tu daityajit
Prenant un simple brin d'herbe sur le sol, il s'adressa aux dieux : « Quiconque est capable de déformer cette chose (simple) et d'en faire autre chose — celui-là est en vérité le vainqueur des Daityas. »
Suta Goswami (narrating the Vāyavīya discourse to the sages, quoting the in-story speaker addressing the Devas)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse frames a test of true competence: real victory over “Daityas” symbolizes conquering arrogance, delusion, and bondage (pāśa). In Shaiva Siddhanta, such mastery is ultimately grounded in the Lord (Pati), not mere display of power.
By using something as small as a blade of grass, the narrative points to Shaiva teaching that the sacred is not limited to grand objects—Saguna Shiva is approached through humility and right understanding, and the Linga-worshiper seeks inner transformation rather than spectacle.
A practical takeaway is humility-based japa and self-restraint: repeat the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while observing how the mind tries to “distort” simplicity into ego. This supports inner conquest, the real ‘daitya-jaya’.