Shloka 104
Praṇava-Māhātmya and the Twofold Mantra (Sūkṣma–Sthūla) in Śaiva Sādhanā
पुनश्च शतलक्षेण रुद्र स्य पदमाप्नुयात् । पुनश्च शतलक्षेण ऐश्वर्यं पदमाप्नुयात्
punaśca śatalakṣeṇa rudra sya padamāpnuyāt | punaśca śatalakṣeṇa aiśvaryaṃ padamāpnuyāt
And again, by performing it for one hundred thousand (times), one attains the state of Rudra. And again, by one hundred thousand (times), one attains the sovereign station of divine lordship (aiśvarya).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Rudra
Jyotirlinga: Mahākāleśvara
Sthala Purana: Mahākāla of Ujjayinī is celebrated as the Lord of Time; the verse’s ‘Rudra-pada’ and ‘aiśvarya-pada’ align with Rudra’s sovereign power and time-transcending mastery in Mahākāla traditions.
Significance: Worship is sought for overcoming fear of death/time and for attaining steadiness and lordly spiritual power under Śiva’s protection.
Type: panchakshara
FAQs
It teaches graded spiritual attainment through disciplined repetition (japa) and devotion: sustained practice culminates in Rudra-pada (nearness/likeness to Rudra) and, by further completion, the state of aiśvarya—Shiva-bestowed spiritual sovereignty rather than mere worldly power.
In the Vidyeshvara context, worship is typically Saguna—approaching Shiva through Linga, mantra, and ritual purity—where repeated, counted practice becomes a vehicle for Shiva’s grace, transforming the devotee toward Rudra-nature and culminating in higher realization.
A laksha-based count of mantra japa (commonly connected with the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), undertaken with steady devotion; such counted repetition is a standard Shaiva sadhana often paired with Linga-puja, rudraksha, and bhasma observances.