Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 2
पाशुपतज्ञानप्रश्नः — Inquiry into Pāśupata Knowledge
Paśu–Pāśa–Paśupati
एतत्सर्वं समाचक्ष्व वायो शंकरविग्रह । तत्समो न हि वक्तास्ति त्रैलोक्येष्वपरः प्रभुः
etatsarvaṃ samācakṣva vāyo śaṃkaravigraha | tatsamo na hi vaktāsti trailokyeṣvaparaḥ prabhuḥ
Wahai Vāyu, jelmaan Śaṅkara, jelaskanlah semuanya ini dengan lengkap. Kerana di tiga alam tiada tuan lain yang mampu berkata setara denganmu.
Suta Goswami (narrative voice, addressing Vayu as the authoritative expounder of Shiva-tattva)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not tied to a Jyotirliṅga; it elevates Vāyu/Prabhañjana as ‘Śaṅkara-vigraha’—a revelatory mouthpiece. The emphasis is on authoritative transmission of hidden (tirodhāna) doctrine now being unveiled through proper speaker.
Significance: Affirms the necessity of a qualified expounder (ācārya-like figure) for subtle Śiva-tattva; hearing from such a source is itself spiritually efficacious.
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse establishes an authorized channel of revelation: Vāyu is invoked as “Śaṅkara-vigraha,” implying that Shiva’s wisdom is transmitted through a qualified expounder, affirming Śiva as the unsurpassed Lord across the three worlds.
By calling Vāyu the embodiment of Śaṅkara, the text supports Saguna Shiva devotion—Shiva’s grace and teaching operate through manifest forms and empowered narrators, guiding devotees toward right understanding of Shiva worship (including the Linga).
The practical takeaway is śravaṇa (devotional listening) and manana (reflection) on Shiva-tattva from an authentic source—preparing the mind for mantra-japa (e.g., the Panchakshara) and Shiva-dhyana even though no specific rite is named in this verse.