Shloka 7
शब्दब्रह्मतनुवर्णनम् — Description of the Form of Śabda-Brahman
उत्तरे पावकप्रख्यमुकारमृषि सत्तम । शीतांशुमण्डलप्रख्यं मकारं तस्य मध्यतः
uttare pāvakaprakhyamukāramṛṣi sattama | śītāṃśumaṇḍalaprakhyaṃ makāraṃ tasya madhyataḥ
O best of sages, in the northern part is the syllable “U,” radiant like fire; and in its very middle is the syllable “Ma,” shining like the orb of the cool-rayed moon.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Contemplation of praṇava’s differentiated brilliance (fire/moon) is treated as an inner pilgrimage harmonizing tejas and soma—stabilizing the mind for higher realization.
Mantra: U (ukāra) in the northern part, fire-like; M (makāra) in the middle, moon-like.
Type: gayatri
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches mantra-dhyāna: the seeker contemplates specific syllables as luminous, purifying realities—fire-like “U” and moon-like “Ma”—so the mind becomes fit to approach Shiva (Pati) through disciplined worship.
By assigning radiant qualities and spatial placement to mantra-syllables, the Purana supports Saguna upāsanā—using form, direction, and light-imagery as aids—often applied in Linga-centered meditation where mantra and symbol are united.
Japa with visualization: repeat the mantra-syllables while meditating on “U” as fire-bright in the north and “Ma” as moon-bright in the center, integrating breath, attention, and reverence toward Shiva.