Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 6
पञ्चाक्षरमाहात्म्यम् / The Greatness of the Pañcākṣarī (Five-Syllable) Mantra
भक्त्या पञ्चाक्षरेणैव यः शिवं सकृदर्चयेत् । सोपि गच्छेच्छिवस्थानं शिवमन्त्रस्य गौरवात्
bhaktyā pañcākṣareṇaiva yaḥ śivaṃ sakṛdarcayet | sopi gacchecchivasthānaṃ śivamantrasya gauravāt
Quem, com devoção, adorar Śiva ainda que uma única vez por meio do mantra de cinco sílabas, também alcança a morada de Śiva, pela majestade e pelo poder santificador do mantra de Śiva.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Universal doctrine: even a single act of Śiva-arcana performed with Pañcākṣarī-bhakti leads to Śivasthāna/Śivaloka due to the mantra’s ‘gaurava’ (intrinsic potency + Lord’s grace).
Significance: Encourages even beginners: one sincere worship ‘once’ is not wasted; establishes accessibility of Śiva’s abode through mantra-bhakti.
Mantra: नमः शिवाय (Namaḥ Śivāya)
Type: panchakshara
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It declares the liberating potency of the Pañcākṣarī when joined with bhakti: even a single sincere act of worship oriented to Pati (Śiva) can loosen pāśa (bondage) and lead the soul toward Śivaloka through mantra-grace.
The verse supports Saguna upāsanā as an effective doorway: worship of Śiva (commonly through the Liṅga) accompanied by the Pañcākṣarī invokes Śiva’s accessible form and presence, through which the devotee receives purification and divine acceptance.
Perform Śiva-arcana while repeating the Pañcākṣarī (“Namaḥ Śivāya,” traditionally with “Oṃ”); offer water, bilva leaves, or simple pūjā with steady devotion—emphasizing mantra-japa as the core practice.