Shloka 132

Praṇava-Māhātmya and the Twofold Mantra (Sūkṣma–Sthūla) in Śaiva Sādhanā

Devanagari script

शिवस्वरूपमंत्रस्य धारणाच्छिव एव हि । शिवभक्तशरीरे हि शिवे तत्परमो भवेत्

Transliteration

śivasvarūpamaṃtrasya dhāraṇācchiva eva hi | śivabhaktaśarīre hi śive tatparamo bhavet

Translation

By holding within oneself the mantra that is of Śiva’s very nature, one indeed becomes Śiva. And in the body of a devotee of Śiva arises supreme devotion, wholly intent upon Śiva alone.

Word by Word

शिवस्वरूपमन्त्रस्यof the mantra of Śiva’s true form

धारणात्from (the act of) retaining/holding

शिवःŚiva

एवindeed/alone

हिindeed/for

शिवभक्तशरीरेin the body of a devotee of Śiva

हिindeed

शिवेin Śiva / with regard to Śiva

तत्परमःsupremely devoted (to Him)

भवेत्would become

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Mantra Metadata

Mantra: oṃ namaḥ śivāya

Type: panchakshara

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It teaches that sustained inner retention of Śiva’s own mantra transforms the devotee’s consciousness toward Śiva-nature, culminating in one-pointed devotion and liberating Shiva-realization.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

Linga-worship supports Saguna devotion (form-based focus), while mantra-dhāraṇā internalizes that worship—turning outer reverence into inner absorption in Śiva, the reality signified by the Linga.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Mantra-japa with dhāraṇā (steady mental holding) of the Śiva-svarūpa mantra—classically the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—cultivating unwavering attention and devotion to Śiva.