Shloka 23

प्रणवमहिमा — The Greatness of the Praṇava (Om) as Śiva

Devanagari script

नादस्सदाशिवः प्रोक्तस्सर्वानुग्रहकारकः । नादमूर्द्धनि संचिन्त्य परात्परतरः शिवः

Transliteration

nādassadāśivaḥ proktassarvānugrahakārakaḥ | nādamūrddhani saṃcintya parātparataraḥ śivaḥ

Translation

Nāda is declared to be Sadāśiva, the bestower of grace upon all. Meditating upon that Nāda at the crown of the head, one realizes Śiva who is higher than the highest—beyond even the beyond.

Word by Word

नादःnāda (mystic sound)

सदाशिवःSadāśiva

प्रोक्तःis proclaimed

सर्वानुग्रहकारकःcause of all blessings

नादम्nāda

मूर्धनिon the head / at the crown

संचिन्त्यhaving meditated upon

परात्from/than the supreme

परतरःhigher, more supreme

शिवःŚiva

Speaker

Lord Shiva

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Mantra Metadata

Mantra: नादस्सदाशिवः प्रोक्तस्सर्वानुग्रहकारकः । नादमूर्द्धनि संचिन्त्य परात्परतरः शिवः

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

Shiva

Sadashiva

Nada

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It identifies Nāda (the inner, primordial sound) with Sadāśiva, emphasizing that liberation is attained primarily through Śiva’s anugraha (grace) revealed through contemplative yoga, culminating in realization of Śiva as transcendent beyond all categories.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

Nāda functions as an inner ‘liṅga’—a subtle sign of Śiva within. External liṅga-pūjā and Saguna worship mature into inner contemplation, where the devotee recognizes Sadāśiva’s gracious presence as the guiding principle behind both ritual and meditation.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate on Nāda at the crown of the head (mūrdhan)—a yogic contemplation often supported by mantra-japa (including pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and disciplined inner focus, seeking Śiva’s grace rather than mere technique.