Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 77
मन्त्रसिद्धिः, प्रतिबन्धनिरासः, श्रद्धा-नियमाः
Mantra Efficacy, Removal of Obstacles, and the Role of Faith/Discipline
स्थलायते समुद्रो ऽपि स्थलमप्यर्णवायते । महीधरायते श्वभ्रं स च श्वभ्रायते गिरिः
sthalāyate samudro 'pi sthalamapyarṇavāyate | mahīdharāyate śvabhraṃ sa ca śvabhrāyate giriḥ
Até o oceano parece terra firme, e até a terra firme parece oceano. Um abismo parece montanha, e essa mesma montanha parece abismo—tal é a inversão enganosa que māyā produz sobre a alma atada (paśu).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; it is a classic māyā-viparyaya illustration: ocean/land, pit/mountain appear reversed—signifying bondage as perceptual-cognitive distortion.
Significance: General: prompts viveka (discernment) in pilgrims/devotees—do not trust appearances under māyā; seek Śiva’s grace and right knowledge to see reality as it is.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that ordinary perception is unstable and can invert reality; liberation arises when the paśu recognizes māyā’s distortions and turns toward Pati (Shiva) as the unfailing ground of truth.
The Linga functions as a steady, non-deceptive support for contemplation: by fixing the mind on Shiva (Saguna worship leading toward Nirguna realization), the devotee counters the mind’s tendency to project and misread the world.
Regular japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with steady dhyāna on Shiva—optionally supported by Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrāksha—helps cut through perceptual confusion and cultivate discrimination (viveka).