Shloka 39
Kāla-vañcana (Overcoming/Outwitting Time) and the Pañcabhūta Basis of the Body
तस्माच्छब्दा नव प्रोक्ताः प्राणविद्भिस्तु लक्षिताः । तान्प्रवक्ष्यामि यत्नेन नादसिद्धिमनुक्रमात्
tasmācchabdā nava proktāḥ prāṇavidbhistu lakṣitāḥ | tānpravakṣyāmi yatnena nādasiddhimanukramāt
Therefore, nine sounds (śabdas) have been declared and precisely characterized by the knowers of prāṇa. I shall explain them carefully, in proper sequence, as the means to attain perfection through nāda, the inner sound.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Uma-saṃhitā teachings to the sages, presenting a yogic discourse on nāda and prāṇa)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
It frames sound (śabda) as a disciplined yogic path: the sages of prāṇa identify specific inner sounds, and mastering them in order leads to nāda-siddhi—an inward absorption that supports liberation under Shiva’s grace.
In Shaiva Siddhanta, Saguna worship (such as Linga-pūjā and mantra) purifies the mind and steadies devotion; this verse points to the subtler, inner continuity of that worship—sound as a doorway from external devotion to internal realization of Shiva as Pati.
A nāda-and-prāṇa based meditation is implied: regulate the breath, withdraw attention inward, and contemplate the arising inner sounds sequentially, using mantra-japa (notably Shiva-mantras) as support for steadiness and purity.