Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 11
शक्तितत्त्ववर्णनम् / Exposition of the Principle of Śakti
मुमुक्षवः पुरा केचिन्मुनयो ब्रह्मवादिनः । संशयाविष्टमनसो विस्मृशंति यथातथम्
mumukṣavaḥ purā kecinmunayo brahmavādinaḥ | saṃśayāviṣṭamanaso vismṛśaṃti yathātatham
पूर्वी काळी काही मुमुक्षु मुनी—ब्रह्मवादिन—संशयाने ग्रासलेल्या मनाचे झाले; आणि मन गुंतल्यामुळे ते तसेच तसे, गोंधळात बोलू व पुनर्विचार करू लागले।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
FAQs
It highlights saṃśaya (doubt) as a subtle pāśa (bondage) that disturbs even learned mumukṣus; liberation requires steadiness of mind and clarity of right knowledge, ultimately ripened by Shiva’s anugraha (grace).
When the mind is seized by doubt, Saguna Shiva worship—especially Linga-upāsanā—functions as a stabilizing support (ālambana), purifying attention and leading the seeker toward firm conviction and deeper realization.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with steady dhyāna on Shiva (often in the Linga), as a means to quiet doubt and gather the mind into one-pointedness.