Shloka 3
Praṇava-Māhātmya and the Twofold Mantra (Sūkṣma–Sthūla) in Śaiva Sādhanā
अथापि वक्ष्ये तमहं शिवस्य कृपयैव हि । शिवोऽस्माकं च युष्माकं रक्षां गृह्णातु भूरिशः
athāpi vakṣye tamahaṃ śivasya kṛpayaiva hi | śivo'smākaṃ ca yuṣmākaṃ rakṣāṃ gṛhṇātu bhūriśaḥ
Even so, I shall speak of it—indeed, only by the grace of Śiva. May Śiva, the Lord of abundant power, accept and undertake the protection of both us and you.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Kāśī is portrayed as the locus of Śiva’s protective grace (rakṣā) and salvific teaching; Sūta’s ability to speak is explicitly grounded in Śiva’s kṛpā, echoing the sthala idea that the Lord personally safeguards seekers.
Significance: Highlights rakṣā and anugraha as prerequisites for right understanding; pilgrimage is framed as entering Śiva’s protective sphere and receiving grace for śravaṇa-manana.
Mantra: śivo'smākaṃ ca yuṣmākaṃ rakṣāṃ gṛhṇātu bhūriśaḥ
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
It establishes that sacred knowledge about Śiva is transmitted successfully only through Śiva’s anugraha (grace), and it begins the teaching with a prayer for divine protection—an essential Shaiva Siddhanta mood of humility and dependence on Pati (the Lord).
By invoking Śiva’s protective acceptance before the discourse, the verse frames worship as a living relationship with Saguna Śiva—the compassionate Lord who hears prayer, safeguards devotees, and authorizes the fruit of Linga-upāsanā and śravaṇa (hearing the Purana).
Begin recitation or study with a Śiva-prārthanā for rakṣā (protection), ideally accompanied by mental japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and a devotional intention that the teaching proceeds by Śiva’s grace.