Shloka 29

उमामहेश्वरव्रतं—पञ्चाक्षरमन्त्रस्य माहात्म्यं, न्यासः, जपविधिः, सदाचारः, विनियोगः

Devanagari script

अल्पाक्षरं महार्थं च वेदसारं विमुक्तिदम् आज्ञासिद्धमसंदिग्धं वाक्यमेतच्छिवात्मकम्

Transliteration

alpākṣaraṃ mahārthaṃ ca vedasāraṃ vimuktidam ājñāsiddhamasaṃdigdhaṃ vākyametacchivātmakam

Translation

This utterance—few in syllables yet vast in meaning—is the very essence of the Veda and the giver of liberation. Established by divine authority and free from doubt, this statement is of the nature of Śiva Himself.

Word by Word

• अल्पाक्षरम्: of few syllables

• महार्थम्: of great meaning

• च: and

• वेदसारम्: the essence of the Vedas

• विमुक्तिदम्: bestowing liberation (moksha)

• आज्ञासिद्धम्: established/validated by authoritative command (āgamic and divine ordinance)

• असंदिग्धम्: free from doubt, unambiguous

• वाक्यम्: statement/utterance

• एतत्: this

• शिवात्मकम्: having Śiva as its very nature, identical with Śiva-tattva

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana teaching to the sages of Naimisharanya, summarizing the authority of Shiva-centered mantra/teaching)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It frames Shiva-centered utterance/mantra as Veda-essence and moksha-giving, implying that Linga-puja is not mere ritual but a direct liberating upaya (means) when grounded in Shiva’s authoritative teaching.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

It declares the decisive spiritual statement itself to be “Shivātmaka”—non-different from Shiva—pointing to Shiva as Pati (Lord) whose revealed word cuts pasha (bondage) and frees the pashu (bound soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Mantra-centered upasana: a concise, authoritative Shiva-utterance used in japa and contemplation as a moksha-sadhana aligned with Pashupata-oriented devotion and inner certainty (asaṃdigdha-bhavana).