Shloka 137
Praṇava-Māhātmya and the Twofold Mantra (Sūkṣma–Sthūla) in Śaiva Sādhanā
शिवलिंगं शिवं मत्वा स्वात्मानं शक्तिरूपकम् । शक्तिलिंगं च देवीं च मत्वा स्वं शिवरूपकम्
śivaliṃgaṃ śivaṃ matvā svātmānaṃ śaktirūpakam | śaktiliṃgaṃ ca devīṃ ca matvā svaṃ śivarūpakam
Knowing the Śiva-liṅga to be Śiva Himself, one should contemplate one’s own Self as having the form of Śakti. And knowing the Śakti-liṅga and the Goddess to be Śakti, one should contemplate oneself as having the form of Śiva.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Ardhanārīśvara
Shakti Form: Umā
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches non-dual contemplation within devotion: the liṅga is not a mere symbol but Śiva, and the worshipper internalizes the inseparable Śiva–Śakti reality, aligning the individual self toward liberation (mokṣa) through right bhāvanā.
It frames saguna worship as a yogic method: seeing the Śiva-liṅga as Śiva and the Devī/Śakti-liṅga as Śakti, while simultaneously transforming the devotee’s inner identity through complementary contemplation, so outer pūjā becomes inner realization.
During liṅga-pūjā, practice śiva-bhāvanā and śakti-bhāvanā: while offering water, bilva, and mantra-japa (especially the pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), meditate that the liṅga is Śiva and that your inner awareness alternates as Śakti and Śiva in inseparable union.