Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 26
मुनय ऊचुः । भगवन्नंधकारेण महता वयमावृताः । खिन्ना विवदमानाश्च न पश्यामो ऽत्र यत्परम्
munaya ūcuḥ | bhagavannaṃdhakāreṇa mahatā vayamāvṛtāḥ | khinnā vivadamānāśca na paśyāmo 'tra yatparam
เหล่ามุนีกล่าวว่า “ข้าแต่พระผู้เป็นเจ้า เราถูกความมืดอันใหญ่หลวงปกคลุม เหนื่อยล้าและติดอยู่ในความโต้เถียง ที่นี่เรามิได้ประจักษ์ซึ่งธรรมอันสูงสุด”
The sages (Munis), addressing the narrator/teacher in the Vāyavīyasaṃhitā context
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: liberating
FAQs
It portrays the classic Shaiva theme that ignorance (andhakāra) and mental contention obscure direct vision of the Supreme (Śiva as Pati). The sages admit their limitation and implicitly seek grace and right knowledge to move from bondage (pāśa) to clarity.
When the Supreme is not perceived due to inner darkness, Shaiva tradition turns to Saguna aids—Linga worship, mantra, and disciplined devotion—as concrete supports that steady the mind and lead it toward realizing the transcendent (yat-param) beyond form.
A practical takeaway is to counter “darkness” with japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and steadying worship (pūjā/abhisheka). In Shaiva practice, this is often supported by wearing rudrākṣa and applying tripuṇḍra (bhasma) to cultivate clarity and detachment.