Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 41
मन्त्रसिद्ध्यर्थं गुरुपूजा–आज्ञा–पौरश्चर्यविधिः / Guru-Authorization, Offerings, and Puraścaraṇa for Mantra-Siddhi
चतुः पञ्चाशदक्षैस्तु हृच्छ्रेष्ठा हि प्रकीर्तिता । इत्येवं मालया कुर्याज्जपं कस्मै न दर्शयेत् । कनिष्ठा क्षरिणी प्रोक्ता जपकर्मणि शोभना । अंगुष्ठेन जपेज्जप्यमन्यैरंगुलिभिस्सह
catuḥ pañcāśadakṣaistu hṛcchreṣṭhā hi prakīrtitā | ityevaṃ mālayā kuryājjapaṃ kasmai na darśayet | kaniṣṭhā kṣariṇī proktā japakarmaṇi śobhanā | aṃguṣṭhena japejjapyamanyairaṃgulibhissaha
ಐವತ್ತ್ನಾಲ್ಕು ಮಣಿಗಳ ಮಾಲೆ ಹೃದಯಕ್ಕೆ ಪ್ರಿಯವಾದ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠವೆಂದು ಕೀರ್ತಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಅಂಥ ಮಾಲೆಯಿಂದ ಜಪ ಮಾಡಿ, ಅದನ್ನು ಯಾರಿಗೂ ಪ್ರದರ್ಶಿಸಬಾರದು. ಚಿಕ್ಕ ಬೆರಳನ್ನು ‘ಕ್ಷರಿಣೀ’ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದ್ದಾರೆ; ಜಪಕರ್ಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಅದು ಶೋಭಿಸುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಬೊಟ್ಟೆ ಬೆರಳಿನಿಂದ, ಇತರ ಬೆರಳುಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ (ಚಿಕ್ಕ ಬೆರಳು ಹೊರತು) ಮಂತ್ರಗಣನೆ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Sthala Purana: Further japa-vidhi: endorses 54-bead mālā as especially pleasing; prescribes secrecy (agupta) of one’s mālā; forbids using the little finger in counting.
Significance: General: stresses guhyatā (non-display) and correct technique as safeguards of japa’s potency and purity of intention.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches disciplined, reverent japa: using a proper mālā, keeping one’s sādhana private, and avoiding careless habits that dissipate focus and spiritual merit—supporting steady devotion to Pati (Shiva) and inner purification.
Japa is a primary upāsanā for Saguna Shiva (such as worship of the Linga with mantra). The verse emphasizes correct method and restraint, so the mantra remains a sacred link to Shiva rather than a public display.
Perform mantra-japa with a 54-bead mālā, do not show the mālā casually, and count with the thumb using the other fingers while avoiding the little finger during japa.