Shloka 14

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

Devanagari script

दीर्घप्रणवमेवं हि योगिनामेव हृद्गतम् । मकारं तंत्रितत्त्वं हि ह्रस्वप्रणव उच्यते

Transliteration

dīrghapraṇavamevaṃ hi yogināmeva hṛdgatam | makāraṃ taṃtritattvaṃ hi hrasvapraṇava ucyate

Translation

Thus the extended Praṇava (Oṃ) is said to abide in the very heart of yogins. And the syllable “ma”, embodying the inner principle taught in the Tantra, is called the short Praṇava.

Word by Word

• दीर्घ-प्रणवम्: the long praṇava
• दीर्घ-प्रणवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीर्घ (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रणव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (‘long praṇava’); द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb), ‘thus/in this way’

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), emphasis

• योगिनाम्: of yogins
• योगिनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योगिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग

• एव: only
• एव: Avadharana (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय/निपात (restrictive particle), ‘only/just’

• हृद्-गतम्: abiding in the heart
• हृद्-गतम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हृद् (प्रातिपदिक) + गत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (‘gone into the heart’); क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकृदन्त (past participle); प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग; agrees with ‘dīrghapraṇavam’ (as predicate/attribute)

• मकारम्: the letter ‘m’
• मकारम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग

• तन्त्रि-तत्त्वम्: the essential principle (tantric essence)
• तन्त्रि-तत्त्वम्: Samānādhikaraṇa (समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तन्त्रि/तन्त्रिन् (प्रातिपदिक) + तत्त्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (determinative; ‘the principle/essence connected with tantra/that which is strung/regulated’); द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग; in apposition to ‘makāram’

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), emphasis

• ह्रस्व-प्रणवः: the short praṇava
• ह्रस्व-प्रणवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ह्रस्व (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रणव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (‘short praṇava’); प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग

• उच्यते: is said/called
• उच्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive), आत्मनेपद

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Mantra Metadata

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 Pranava (Oṃ) is not merely a recited sound but an inner, heart-abiding realization for yogins, pointing to Shiva as the indwelling Lord (Pati) known through inward contemplation.

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

While Linga worship is an external support (saguna upasana), this verse highlights the complementary inner worship where Pranava is contemplated in the heart—both aiming at recognition of Shiva’s supreme presence.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice japa and dhyana of Pranava—sustained contemplation of the long Oṃ—and internalize its essence; this supports Shaiva mantra-sadhana alongside traditional observances like bhasma and rudraksha when followed.