Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 24
रुद्ररथ-निर्माणवर्णनम् / Description of Rudra’s Divine Chariot Construction
सारथिर्भगवान्ब्रह्मा देवा रश्मिधराः स्मृताः । प्रतोदो ब्रह्मणस्तस्य प्रणवो ब्रह्मदैवतम्
sārathirbhagavānbrahmā devā raśmidharāḥ smṛtāḥ | pratodo brahmaṇastasya praṇavo brahmadaivatam
Pour ce char cosmique, le Bienheureux Seigneur Brahmā est rappelé comme le cocher, et les dieux sont dits tenir les rênes. Pour Brahmā, l’aiguillon est la syllabe sacrée Praṇava (Oṁ), son principe divin présidant, par lequel la marche ordonnée de la création est poussée en avant.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Mantra: ॐ (प्रणवः)
Type: gayatri
Role: teaching
Cosmic Event: Cosmic governance: creation urged onward by praṇava as the goad
FAQs
It teaches that the cosmos functions through sacred order: Brahmā administers creation like a charioteer, the gods regulate its movement like reins, and Praṇava (Oṁ) is the sacred impetus that propels righteous, structured manifestation—ultimately under the higher Shaiva vision where all powers operate within Shiva’s supreme reality.
Praṇava (Oṁ) is a primary Shaiva seed of worship used before and within Shiva-upāsanā; it sanctifies the mind and aligns the devotee with cosmic rhythm, supporting Saguna Shiva devotion (including Linga worship) by establishing inner discipline and reverence for the divine order that Shiva transcends and pervades.
Japa of Oṁ (Praṇava) with steady breath and focused attention is suggested as the ‘goad’ that directs the mind; it can be paired with Shiva-mantra practice (e.g., Oṁ Namaḥ Śivāya) to cultivate restraint, clarity, and devotional alignment.