Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 8
पञ्चाक्षरीविद्यायाḥ कलियुगे मोक्षोपायः | The Pañcākṣarī Vidyā as a Means of Liberation in Kali Yuga
ततः कथं विमुच्येत पतितो विद्यया ऽनया । ईश्वर उवाच । तथ्यमेतत्त्वया प्रोक्तं तथा हि शृणु सुन्दरि
tataḥ kathaṃ vimucyeta patito vidyayā 'nayā | īśvara uvāca | tathyametattvayā proktaṃ tathā hi śṛṇu sundari
そこで（彼女は問うた）「では、堕ちた者はこの智によっていかにして解放されるのですか。」主は言われた。「汝の語ったことはまことに真実である。ゆえに聞け、美しき者よ。」
Lord Shiva (Ishvara)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Significance: Marks the doctrinal pivot: from karma-based eligibility to Śiva’s grace-based means (vidyā/mantra) that can uplift even the patita when devotion is present.
Mantra: (implied continuation) नमः शिवाय (Namaḥ Śivāya) as ‘vidyā’ under discussion
Type: panchakshara
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: teaching
FAQs
It frames a key Shaiva theme: even one who has fallen into impurity and bondage can be liberated, but liberation comes through Ishvara’s revealed knowledge and attentive listening to it.
The verse begins Shiva’s instruction, implying that grace and right understanding flow from a personal Lord (Saguna Ishvara). In Shaiva practice, such teaching is approached through devotion and worship—often centered on the Linga—as preparation for liberating knowledge.
The immediate practice is śravaṇa (reverent listening) to Shiva’s teaching; in Shaiva Siddhanta this is supported by mantra-japa (especially the Panchakshara), and disciplined worship that purifies the mind for receiving liberating knowledge.