Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 41
शिशुकस्य शिवशास्त्रप्राप्तिः (Śiśuka’s Attainment of Śaiva Teaching and Grace)
तस्य देवाधिदेवस्य शिवस्य वरदायिनः । साक्षान्नमश्शिवायेति मंत्रो ऽयं वाचकः स्मृतः
tasya devādhidevasya śivasya varadāyinaḥ | sākṣānnamaśśivāyeti maṃtro 'yaṃ vācakaḥ smṛtaḥ
ദേവാധിദേവനും വരദായകനുമായ ശിവന്റെ ഈ മന്ത്രം—“നമഃ ശിവായ”—അവനെ സാക്ഷാൽ സൂചിപ്പിക്കുന്ന വാചകമെന്നു സ്മരിക്കപ്പെടുന്നു।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Mantra: नमः शिवाय (Namaḥ Śivāya)
Type: panchakshara
FAQs
It declares “Namaḥ Śivāya” as the direct signifier of Lord Shiva (Pati), establishing mantra-japa as an immediate means to turn the soul (paśu) toward Shiva’s grace and liberation.
The verse affirms a concrete, name-form access point to Shiva: the mantra functions as a living designation of Shiva, supporting Saguna worship (including Linga worship) as a focused, grace-bearing practice.
Regular japa of “Namaḥ Śivāya” with devotion—ideally alongside Shaiva disciplines such as purity, worship, and remembrance—since the mantra is presented as Shiva’s direct appellation.