Shloka 23

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

Devanagari script

एवमष्टोत्तरशतकोटिजप्तेन वै पुनः । प्रणवेन प्रबुद्धस्तु शुद्धयोगमवाप्नुयात्

Transliteration

evamaṣṭottaraśatakoṭijaptena vai punaḥ | praṇavena prabuddhastu śuddhayogamavāpnuyāt

Translation

Thus, by again performing japa of the Praṇava (Oṁ) to the measure of one hundred and eight crores, the seeker—fully awakened by that Praṇava—attains the state of pure Yoga (śuddha-yoga).

Word by Word

• evam: thus/in this way
• evam: Prakāra (प्रकार/Manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (प्रकारवाचक अव्यय)

• aṣṭa-uttara-śata-koṭi-japtena: by (having done) japa of 108 crores
• aṣṭa-uttara-śata-koṭi-japtena: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṣṭa (प्रातिपदिक) + uttara (प्रातिपदिक) + śata (प्रातिपदिक) + koṭi (प्रातिपदिक) + japta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन) — dvigu numeral compound: ‘aṣṭottara-śata’ (=108) + koṭi; ‘by japa amounting to 108 crores’

• vai: indeed
• vai: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle (निपात)

• punaḥ: again/further
• punaḥ: Prakāra (प्रकार/Adverb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: punaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (पुनः)

• praṇavena: by the Praṇava (Oṃ)
• praṇavena: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: praṇava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• prabuddhaḥ: awakened/enlightened
• prabuddhaḥ: Pratijñā/Predicate (विधेय/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pra-budh (धातु) → prabuddha (कृदन्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन) — used predicatively

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Adversative/contrast particle (निपात)

• śuddha-yogam: pure yoga
• śuddha-yogam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śuddha (प्रातिपदिक) + yoga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन) — ‘pure yoga’

• avāpnuyāt: should attain
• avāpnuyāt: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ava-āp (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Mantra Metadata

Mantra: ॐ (praṇava)

Type: gayatri

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that sustained Praṇava (Oṁ) japa awakens inner consciousness and culminates in śuddha-yoga—purified spiritual discipline oriented toward liberation under Śiva’s grace.

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

In the Vidyeśvarasaṃhitā, mantra practice supports both Saguna worship (Linga-upāsanā with devotion) and inner realization; Oṁ functions as a seed that leads the devotee from external reverence to purified meditative absorption.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A disciplined practice of Praṇava japa (Oṁ repetition), undertaken in large count with steadiness and purity; it can be paired with Shaiva observances like bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and focused meditation to stabilize yoga.