Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 12
अन्तराय-उपसर्ग-विवेचनम् / Analysis of Yogic Obstacles (Antarāyas) and Upasargas
श्रवणं सर्वशब्दानां श्रवणे चाप्रयत्नतः । वार्त्ता वार्त्तासु विज्ञानं सर्वेषामेव देहिनाम्
śravaṇaṃ sarvaśabdānāṃ śravaṇe cāprayatnataḥ | vārttā vārttāsu vijñānaṃ sarveṣāmeva dehinām
Semua makhluk berjasad secara semula jadi memiliki keupayaan mendengar segala bunyi, dan mereka mendengar tanpa usaha yang disengajakan; demikian juga, mereka memperoleh pemahaman biasa melalui khabar dan perbualan seharian.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It contrasts effortless sensory cognition with higher liberating knowledge: the bound soul (paśu) hears and understands worldly talk naturally, yet must consciously redirect awareness toward Shiva (Pati) for true jñāna and moksha.
It implies that the same faculty of hearing used for worldly talk should be sanctified through listening to Shiva’s names, līlās, and Linga-mahātmyas—transforming ordinary śravaṇa into devotional śravaṇa that supports Saguna Shiva worship and inner purification.
Practice intentional śravaṇa: daily recitation/listening of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and Shiva Purana kathā, treating hearing as a disciplined sādhanā rather than mere effortless sense activity.