Shloka 42
Paramātma-Svarūpa-Nirṇaya: Strī–Puṃ–Napuṃsaka-Vicāra
Inquiry into the Supreme Self and Gendered Forms
गुरूपदेश काले तु सोहंशक्त्यात्मकश्शिवः । इति जीवपरो भूयान्महामन्त्रस्तदा पशुः
gurūpadeśa kāle tu sohaṃśaktyātmakaśśivaḥ | iti jīvaparo bhūyānmahāmantrastadā paśuḥ
At the time of the Guru’s instruction, Śiva—whose very nature is the power expressed as “So’ham” (“I am He”)—is to be realized. Thus, for the bound soul (jīva) this becomes the supreme Great Mantra; and in that condition the individual is called the paśu (the bound being).
Suta Goswami (narrating Shaiva philosophical teaching to the sages, Kailasha Samhita context)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Mantra: सोऽहम् (so'ham)
Role: teaching
FAQs
It frames liberation as arising through Guru-upadeśa: the jīva recognizes Śiva as the inner reality via the So’ham śakti, while also acknowledging its prior condition as paśu (bound by pāśa).
It complements outer worship (Liṅga, Saguna Śiva) with inner contemplation: through the Guru’s guidance, the devotee internalizes Śiva as the indwelling consciousness-power, making worship both external (arcana) and internal (dhyāna).
A Guru-given mantra practice centered on So’ham—often aligned with breath-awareness (ajapā-japa)—to move from paśu-bhāva (bondage) toward Śiva-realization, alongside regular Shaiva discipline such as mantra-japa and purity observances.