Shloka 25

प्रणवार्थपद्धतिवर्णनम्

Methodical Explanation of the Meaning of Praṇava/Om

Devanagari script

उन्मनान्तं शिवं नीत्वा वामनासापुटाध्वना । देवोमुद्वास्य च ततो दक्षनासापुटाध्वना

Transliteration

unmanāntaṃ śivaṃ nītvā vāmanāsāpuṭādhvanā | devomudvāsya ca tato dakṣanāsāpuṭādhvanā

Translation

Leading the mind into the state of unmanā and establishing it in Śiva through the channel of the left nostril, the yogin should then gently bring it out, afterwards, through the channel of the right nostril.

Word by Word

• unmanāntam: ending in unmanā (the transcendent state)
• unmanāntam: Viśeṣaṇa of śivam (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: unmanānta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• śivam: Śiva
• śivam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• nītvā: having led
• nītvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nī (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), ‘having led/brought’

• vāma-nāsā-puṭa-adhvanā: by the path of the left nostril passage
• vāma-nāsā-puṭa-adhvanā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāma (प्रातिपदिक) + nāsā (प्रातिपदिक) + puṭa (प्रातिपदिक) + adhvan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन); समास: वामायाः नासायाः पुटस्य अध्वना (path through the left nostril-cavity)

• devaḥ: the god (practitioner/deity)
• devaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• udvāsya: having expelled
• udvāsya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ud-vas (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), ‘having expelled/caused to depart’

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक)

• tataḥ: then, thereafter
• tataḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• dakṣa-nāsā-puṭa-adhvanā: by the path of the right nostril passage
• dakṣa-nāsā-puṭa-adhvanā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dakṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + nāsā (प्रातिपदिक) + puṭa (प्रातिपदिक) + adhvan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन); समास: दक्षायाः नासायाः पुटस्य अध्वना (path through the right nostril-cavity)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s yogic teaching as preserved in the Kailasa Samhita)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches a Shaiva yogic method where the mind is taken beyond ordinary thought (unmanā) and made to rest in Śiva, indicating liberation arises when the individual (paśu) is released from mental bondage (pāśa) by absorption in the Supreme Lord (Pati).

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

While external worship of the Liṅga supports devotion and purification, this verse points to internal worship—entering meditative stillness where Śiva is realized within; thus Saguna upāsanā matures into inward concentration culminating in direct experience of Śiva.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A pranayama-based meditation using left and right nostril channels (iḍā and piṅgalā) to steady the mind and enter unmanā; it is best supported by japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and a pure, disciplined Shaiva lifestyle.