ओंकार-परमेश-लिङ्गकथा — The Narrative of the Oṃkāra Parameśa Liṅga
Gokarṇa–Vindhya Episode
ज्योतिर्लिंगं चतुर्थं च कृपया वद वित्तम । ओंकारं परमेशस्य सर्वपातकहारिणः
jyotirliṃgaṃ caturthaṃ ca kṛpayā vada vittama | oṃkāraṃ parameśasya sarvapātakahāriṇaḥ
Ô le meilleur des sages, daigne, par compassion, nous dire quel est le quatrième Jyotirlinga : Oṃkāra, appartenant au Seigneur Suprême (Parameśvara), celui qui efface tous les péchés.
The sages of Naimiṣāraṇya (addressing Sūta Gosvāmin)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Īśāna
This verse frames Omkāra (the fourth Jyotirlinga) as Parameśvara Śiva’s sin-destroying manifestation, emphasizing compassionate instruction and the purifying power of Jyotirlinga devotion as a means toward liberation.
By asking about a specific Jyotirlinga, the sages point to Saguna worship—Śiva approached through a concrete, grace-bearing form (liṅga) that reveals the Supreme (Parameśvara) and grants purification through devotion and pilgrimage.
It suggests contemplative worship of Omkāra—japa of “Om” and Śiva-mantras (commonly the Pañcākṣarī, Om Namaḥ Śivāya) alongside Jyotirlinga darśana and liṅga-pūjā, undertaken with repentance and devotion for pāpa-kṣaya (removal of sins).