Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 6
पञ्चाक्षरमाहात्म्यम् / The Greatness of the Pañcākṣarī (Five-Syllable) Mantra
भक्त्या पञ्चाक्षरेणैव यः शिवं सकृदर्चयेत् । सोपि गच्छेच्छिवस्थानं शिवमन्त्रस्य गौरवात्
bhaktyā pañcākṣareṇaiva yaḥ śivaṃ sakṛdarcayet | sopi gacchecchivasthānaṃ śivamantrasya gauravāt
Quiconque, avec dévotion, adore Śiva ne fût-ce qu’une seule fois au moyen du mantra aux cinq syllabes, atteint lui aussi la demeure de Śiva, par la majesté et la puissance sanctifiante du mantra de Śiva.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Universal doctrine: even a single act of Śiva-arcana performed with Pañcākṣarī-bhakti leads to Śivasthāna/Śivaloka due to the mantra’s ‘gaurava’ (intrinsic potency + Lord’s grace).
Significance: Encourages even beginners: one sincere worship ‘once’ is not wasted; establishes accessibility of Śiva’s abode through mantra-bhakti.
Mantra: नमः शिवाय (Namaḥ Śivāya)
Type: panchakshara
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It declares the liberating potency of the Pañcākṣarī when joined with bhakti: even a single sincere act of worship oriented to Pati (Śiva) can loosen pāśa (bondage) and lead the soul toward Śivaloka through mantra-grace.
The verse supports Saguna upāsanā as an effective doorway: worship of Śiva (commonly through the Liṅga) accompanied by the Pañcākṣarī invokes Śiva’s accessible form and presence, through which the devotee receives purification and divine acceptance.
Perform Śiva-arcana while repeating the Pañcākṣarī (“Namaḥ Śivāya,” traditionally with “Oṃ”); offer water, bilva leaves, or simple pūjā with steady devotion—emphasizing mantra-japa as the core practice.