Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 1
उपमन्युरुवाच । अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि साधकं नाम नामतः । संस्कारमन्त्रमाहात्म्यं कथने सूचितं मया
upamanyuruvāca | ataḥ paraṃ pravakṣyāmi sādhakaṃ nāma nāmataḥ | saṃskāramantramāhātmyaṃ kathane sūcitaṃ mayā
Wika ni Upamanyu: “Mula ngayon, ipahahayag ko—sa pangalan—ang disiplina na tinatawag na ‘Sādhaka’, ang paraan para sa naghahangad ng espirituwal. Ang mga ritong nagpapabanal at ang kadakilaan ng mga mantra ay naipahiwatig ko na sa daloy ng salaysay na ito.”
Upamanyu
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
It marks a transition into practical Shaiva sādhanā: the aspirant’s path is grounded in purification (saṃskāra) and in the acknowledged power of mantra, aligning the soul (paśu) toward Shiva (Pati) through disciplined practice.
By introducing “sādhaka” practice and mantra-mahātmyam, it prepares the framework for Saguna Shiva worship—typically expressed through Linga-upāsanā supported by japa and ritual purity—so outer worship becomes a vehicle for inner transformation.
The verse points toward a structured regimen of saṃskāra and mantra-sādhanā—such as initiation-oriented observances, mantra-japa (often centered on the Panchākṣarī), and disciplined preparation before formal Shiva worship.