Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 23
पञ्चाक्षरीविद्यायाḥ कलियुगे मोक्षोपायः | The Pañcākṣarī Vidyā as a Means of Liberation in Kali Yuga
तदा वेदाश्च शास्त्राणि सर्वे पञ्चाक्षरे स्थिताः । ते नाशं नैव संप्राप्ता मच्छक्त्या ह्यनुपालिताः
tadā vedāśca śāstrāṇi sarve pañcākṣare sthitāḥ | te nāśaṃ naiva saṃprāptā macchaktyā hyanupālitāḥ
ครานั้น พระเวทและคัมภีร์ศาสตราทั้งปวงตั้งอยู่ในปัญจักษระ มิได้ประสบความพินาศเลย เพราะได้รับการคุ้มครองและธำรงไว้ด้วยศักติของเรา.
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Frames mantra as the ark of revelation: even at pralaya, Veda/śāstra are preserved in pañcākṣara by Śiva-śakti; encourages pilgrims to anchor study and worship in mantra-japa.
Mantra: नमः शिवाय
Type: panchakshara
Role: liberating
Cosmic Event: pralaya—scriptural preservation
FAQs
It declares the Panchakshara as the condensed essence and refuge of all śāstra—when knowledge is rooted in Shiva (Pati) and upheld by His śakti, it remains imperishable and leads the soul (paśu) toward liberation.
The Panchakshara is a direct devotional approach to Saguna Shiva (the worshipful Lord), commonly practiced alongside Linga worship; the verse frames mantra as Shiva’s living presence that safeguards and transmits Vedic meaning.
Regular japa of the Panchakshara (“Namaḥ Śivāya”), ideally with purity disciplines such as bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and Rudrākṣa, is implied as the sustaining practice that preserves dharma and steadies meditation on Shiva.