Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 7
पञ्चाक्षरीविद्यायाḥ कलियुगे मोक्षोपायः | The Pañcākṣarī Vidyā as a Means of Liberation in Kali Yuga
मयैवमसकृद्देवि प्रतिज्ञातं धरातले । पतितो ऽपि विमुच्येत मद्भक्तो विद्ययानया
mayaivamasakṛddevi pratijñātaṃ dharātale | patito 'pi vimucyeta madbhakto vidyayānayā
โอ้เทวี เราได้ปฏิญาณไว้บนแผ่นดินนี้ครั้งแล้วครั้งเล่าว่า แม้ภักตะของเราจะตกต่ำพลาดพลั้ง ก็ย่อมหลุดพ้นได้ด้วยวิทยานี้เอง
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Frames Śiva-bhakti and mantra-vidyā as overriding even grave moral fall, emphasizing grace (anugraha) as the decisive salvific factor.
Mantra: (implied) नमः शिवाय (Namaḥ Śivāya)
Type: panchakshara
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: teaching
FAQs
It declares Shiva’s steadfast vow (pratijñā) that His grace works through liberating knowledge (vidyā): even a devotee who has slipped into wrongdoing can be purified and released when true Shiva-tattva is awakened, aligning with Shaiva Siddhanta’s emphasis on anugraha (divine grace) removing bondage.
Devotion to Saguna Shiva—often centered on Linga worship—stabilizes the mind and turns the devotee toward Shiva’s teaching (vidyā). The verse implies that sincere bhakti, supported by right understanding of Shiva, transforms downfall into a doorway to purification and liberation.
The practical takeaway is to combine bhakti with vidyā: regular Panchakshara japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), Linga worship with bhasma/tripundra and rudraksha (where applicable), and contemplative study of Shiva’s teachings—so knowledge becomes the instrument of release.