सूत उवाच । लिंगानां च क्रमं वक्ष्ये यथावच्छृणुत द्विजाः । तदेव लिंगं प्रथमं प्रणवं सार्वकामिकम्
sūta uvāca | liṃgānāṃ ca kramaṃ vakṣye yathāvacchṛṇuta dvijāḥ | tadeva liṃgaṃ prathamaṃ praṇavaṃ sārvakāmikam
Sūta said: “I shall declare, in proper order, the hierarchy of the Liṅgas—listen attentively, O twice-born sages. The very first Liṅga is the Praṇava (Oṁ), which is the fulfiller of all rightful aims.”
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Establishes Praṇava (Oṃ) as the primordial Liṅga—inner worship that supports all dharmic aims and culminates in liberation when joined with Śiva-bhakti and right practice.
Mantra: oṃ (praṇava)
It establishes Oṁ (Praṇava) as the primordial Liṅga—Shiva’s subtlest sign—indicating that all forms of Liṅga worship ultimately rest on sound-consciousness and lead toward Shiva-realization.
It links Saguna Liṅga worship to its subtle source: Praṇava. External worship of the Liṅga is affirmed, while the verse points to the inner reality of Shiva as the transcendent principle symbolized by Oṁ.
Japa and contemplation of Praṇava (Oṁ)—especially as the seed preceding mantra practice—can be taken as the key practice, supporting Liṅga-pūjā and leading the mind toward steady devotion and liberation.