Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 9
पञ्चाक्षरीविद्यायाḥ कलियुगे मोक्षोपायः | The Pañcākṣarī Vidyā as a Means of Liberation in Kali Yuga
रहस्यमिति मत्वैतद्गोपितं यन्मया पुरा । समंत्रकं मां पतितः पूजयेद्यदि मोहितः
rahasyamiti matvaitadgopitaṃ yanmayā purā | samaṃtrakaṃ māṃ patitaḥ pūjayedyadi mohitaḥ
‘हे रहस्य आहे’ असे मानून मी पूर्वी हे गुप्त ठेवले होते; कारण मोहित झालेला पतितही जर मंत्रासहित माझी पूजा करील, तरी ती फलदायी ठरते—म्हणून ते रहस्य म्हणून जपले गेले।
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
It teaches that Shiva’s grace (anugraha) is so potent that even a deluded or “fallen” person can benefit through mantra-yukta worship; therefore such mantra-knowledge is treated as a guarded secret to prevent misuse.
In Saguna worship (such as Linga-puja), mantra is the living link that makes the rite effective; the verse emphasizes that when worship is performed “with mantra,” Shiva responds by grace regardless of the worshipper’s prior condition.
Mantra-sahita Shiva-puja: worship of Shiva accompanied by proper japa/recitation (classically the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), performed with devotion and restraint, respecting the sanctity of the mantra.