Shloka 36

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

Devanagari script

विषयः स्यामहं देवि जीवब्रह्मैक्यभावनात् । सम्बन्धं शृणु देवेशि विषयः सम्यगीरितः

Transliteration

viṣayaḥ syāmahaṃ devi jīvabrahmaikyabhāvanāt | sambandhaṃ śṛṇu deveśi viṣayaḥ samyagīritaḥ

Translation

O Goddess, the subject intended here is the contemplative realization of the oneness of the individual self (jīva) and Brahman. O Queen of the gods, now listen to the proper connection and context—this topic has been rightly stated.

Word by Word

विषयःtopic/subject-matter

स्याम्may I be

अहम्I

देविO देवी

जीव-ब्रह्म-ऐक्य-भावनात्from (the practice of) contemplating the unity of jīva and brahman

सम्बन्धम्connection/relationship

शृणुhear/listen

देवेशिO goddess, lady of the gods

विषयःthe topic

सम्यक्properly/correctly

ईरितःstated/declared

Speaker

Lord Shiva

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

Parvati

FAQs

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

It frames the chapter’s focus as disciplined contemplation on the soul’s identity with the Supreme, presented as a precise, properly connected teaching rather than mere speculation—aimed at liberation.

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

In Shaiva teaching, Saguna worship (Linga, mantra, devotion) purifies and steadies the mind, making it fit for the deeper contemplation of unity that Shiva introduces here as the chapter’s central subject.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A key takeaway is bhāvanā (steady contemplation): combine mantra-japa (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with meditative inquiry into the Self under Shiva’s guidance, maintaining devotional orientation to Pati (Shiva) while loosening bondage (pāśa).