Shloka 33
भैरवावतारवर्णनम् (Bhairavāvatāra-varṇanam) — “Description of the Descent/Manifestation of Bhairava”
इत्युदीरितमाकर्ण्य प्रणवः सर्वगस्तयोः । अमूर्तो मूर्तिमान्प्रीत्या जृम्भमाण उवाच तौ
ityudīritamākarṇya praṇavaḥ sarvagastayoḥ | amūrto mūrtimānprītyā jṛmbhamāṇa uvāca tau
Having heard those words thus spoken by the two all-pervading ones, Praṇava (the sacred Oṁ)—formless in essence yet assuming a form out of grace—expanded with delight and addressed them both.
Praṇava (Oṁ) personified
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Mantra: ॐ
Type: panchakshara
Role: teaching
Cosmic Event: Revelatory theophany: Praṇava self-manifests from formlessness into form to instruct deities (a microcosmic ‘śabda-brahman’ epiphany).
FAQs
It reveals Praṇava (Oṁ) as the living principle of Shiva’s grace: though essentially formless (nirguṇa), it can manifest (saguṇa) to guide even the highest cosmic powers toward right knowledge.
Just as the formless Shiva is worshipped through the manifest Linga, Praṇava—formless in essence—assumes a communicable form to instruct; the verse supports Saguna worship as a compassionate doorway to the Nirguna truth.
Meditation on Oṁ (Praṇava-japa) with the intent of receiving Shiva’s anugraha is implied—using mantra as the manifest support that leads the mind toward the formless Reality.