Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 50
शिशुकस्य शिवशास्त्रप्राप्तिः (Śiśuka’s Attainment of Śaiva Teaching and Grace)
वायुरुवाच । एवं मात्रा समादिश्य शिवमस्त्वित्युदीर्य च । विसृष्टस्तद्वचो मूर्ध्नि कुर्वन्नेव तदा मुनिः
vāyuruvāca | evaṃ mātrā samādiśya śivamastvityudīrya ca | visṛṣṭastadvaco mūrdhni kurvanneva tadā muniḥ
วายุตรัสว่า—ครั้นได้สั่งสอนพระมารดาแล้ว และเปล่งวาจา “ศิวมสตุ—ขอความเป็นมงคลแห่งพระศิวะจงมี” ฤๅษีนั้นก็ได้รับอนุญาตให้ไป; เขาออกเดินทางโดยน้อมรับพระบัญชานั้นไว้เหนือเศียรด้วยความเคารพ.
Vayu
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Models ideal disciple conduct: receiving instruction, uttering 'śivam astu' as auspicious benediction, and carrying the command 'on the head' (śirasā dhārya) as dharma.
Mantra: शिवमस्तु
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights the Shaiva virtue of śaraṇāgati (reverent surrender): the sage accepts the divine instruction “on his head,” symbolizing humility and readiness to act in alignment with Śiva’s auspicious will (śiva).
The phrase “śivam astu” reflects invoking Śiva’s auspicious presence in lived practice; in Saguna worship (including Liṅga-pūjā), the devotee receives instruction and carries it forward as sacred duty, treating Śiva’s word as the guiding authority.
A practical takeaway is to begin actions with an invocation like “śivam astu” and to follow guru/śāstra injunctions with discipline; this aligns with Shaiva practice of mindful obedience, often paired with japa of Śiva’s name or pañcākṣarī.