Shloka 14

Vighneshvara-Prashna and Deva-Krita Shiva-Stava

Adhyaya 104

Devanagari script

पञ्चमाय महापञ्चयज्ञिनां फलदाय च पञ्चास्यफणिहाराय पञ्चाक्षरमयाय ते

Transliteration

pañcamāya mahāpañcayajñināṃ phaladāya ca pañcāsyaphaṇihārāya pañcākṣaramayāya te

Translation

પંચમ (પંચથી પર) સ્વરૂપ, મહાપંચયજ્ઞ કરનારને ફળ આપનાર, પંચાસ્ય પર ફણીહાર ધારણ કરનાર, અને પંચાક્ષર (નમઃ શિવાય)મય—તમને નમઃ।

Word by Word

• पञ्चमाय: to the Fifth (the transcendent principle beyond the five)

• महापञ्चयज्ञिनाम्: of those who perform the great five sacrifices

• फलदाय: bestower of results/fruits

• च: and

• पञ्चास्य: five-faced

• फणिहाराय: to the wearer of serpent-hoods/serpents as an ornament

• पञ्चाक्षरमयाय: whose nature is the five-syllabled (mantra)

• ते: to You (salutation implied).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating a Shiva-stuti within the Linga Purana’s Purva-Bhaga context)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It identifies Shiva as the very essence of the Pañcākṣara (namaḥ śivāya), implying that Linga-puja becomes most potent when united with mantra-japa and devotion to Pati (the Lord) who grants the true fruit of worship.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Shiva is praised as “the Fifth,” indicating a transcendent reality beyond the fivefold manifested order; as Pati, He dispenses karmic and spiritual results, and as mantra-svarūpa He is directly accessible through the Pañcākṣara.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse links Vedic duty (the Mahā-pañca-yajñas) with Shaiva mantra practice, highlighting Pañcākṣara-japa as a core discipline that aligns the Pashu (soul) toward liberation from Pāśa (bondage) under Pati (Shiva).