Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 65
मन्त्रसिद्ध्यर्थं गुरुपूजा–आज्ञा–पौरश्चर्यविधिः / Guru-Authorization, Offerings, and Puraścaraṇa for Mantra-Siddhi
अन्त्यजस्यापि मूर्खस्य मूढस्य पतितस्य च । निर्मर्यादस्य नीचस्य मंत्रो ऽयं न च निष्फलः । सर्वावस्थां गतस्यापि मयि भक्तिमतः परम् । सिध्यत्येव न संदेहो नापरस्य तु कस्यचित्
antyajasyāpi mūrkhasya mūḍhasya patitasya ca | nirmaryādasya nīcasya maṃtro 'yaṃ na ca niṣphalaḥ | sarvāvasthāṃ gatasyāpi mayi bhaktimataḥ param | sidhyatyeva na saṃdeho nāparasya tu kasyacit
அந்த்யஜனாக இருந்தாலும், மூடனாக இருந்தாலும், மயக்கமுற்றவனாக இருந்தாலும், வீழ்ந்தவனாக இருந்தாலும்—ஆம், வெட்கமற்ற கீழ்மையானவனாக இருந்தாலும்—இந்த மந்திரம் ஒருபோதும் பயனற்றதல்ல. எந்த நிலையிலிருந்தாலும் என்னிடத்தில் பரம பக்தி உடையவனுக்கே இது நிச்சயம் सिद्धியாகும்—சந்தேகம் இல்லை; மற்றவர்க்கு அல்ல.
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Significance: Radical inclusivity of Śiva’s grace: even the socially/religiously marginalized can begin with the mantra; yet the decisive condition is bhakti to Śiva—pilgrimage without devotion is declared ineffective.
Mantra: नमः शिवाय (implied by ‘this mantra’)
Type: panchakshara
Role: liberating
FAQs
It declares that Shiva’s mantra bears fruit not by social status or past faults, but by sincere devotion to Shiva (Pati); even the most fallen can be uplifted when bhakti is present, while mantra without devotion becomes ineffective.
In Shaiva practice, mantra-japa is typically supported by Saguna worship such as Linga-puja; this verse emphasizes that the decisive factor is inner devotion to Shiva, making external eligibility secondary when the heart is fixed on the Lord.
Regular Shiva-mantra japa (especially the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with single-pointed bhakti; accompany it with simple Linga worship, vibhuti (Tripundra) and Rudraksha if available, but prioritize devotion over display.