Shloka 35
शब्दब्रह्मतनुवर्णनम् — Description of the Form of Śabda-Brahman
ओकारश्च तथौकारो दन्तपंक्तिद्वयं क्रमात् । अमस्तु तालुनी तस्य देवदेवस्य शूलिनः
okāraśca tathaukāro dantapaṃktidvayaṃ kramāt | amastu tālunī tasya devadevasya śūlinaḥ
In due order, the sounds “o” and “au” are to be understood as the two rows of teeth; and the sound “aṃ” is said to be the two palates—thus (these phonetic forms) pertain to that Trident-bearing Lord, the God of gods.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It teaches that sacred sound (nāda/varṇa) is not merely linguistic but a divine embodiment: specific phonemes are contemplated as parts of Śiva, helping the devotee internalize the Lord through mantra-aware meditation.
Just as the Liṅga is a tangible support for worship, these phonetic correspondences provide a subtle support (saguṇa-upāsanā through sound), enabling devotees to worship Śiva through mantra as a living form.
Japa and dhyāna on Oṃ and Śiva-mantras with mindful articulation—contemplating the sounds as Śiva’s presence—supports concentration and devotion, especially when paired with traditional Śaiva disciplines like bhasma and Rudrākṣa (where practiced).