Agni Purana — Mantra-shastra, Shloka 10
Chapter 326 — देवालयमाहात्म्यम्
The Glory of Temples
यदोंनमः शिवायेति एतावत् परमं पदम् अनेन पूजयेल्लिङ्गं लिङ्गे यस्मात् स्थितः शिवः
yadoṃnamaḥ śivāyeti etāvat paramaṃ padam anena pūjayelliṅgaṃ liṅge yasmāt sthitaḥ śivaḥ
「オーム・ナマḥ・シヴァーヤ」――これだけこそが至上の位（最高の句）である。この真言によってリンガを礼拝すべきである。なぜならシヴァはリンガに安住しているからである。
Lord Agni (instructing sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","practical_application":"Using ‘oṃ namaḥ śivāya’ as the complete supreme formula for liṅga-pūjā; mantra-centered worship emphasizing Śiva’s immanence in the liṅga.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Oṃ Namaḥ Śivāya as Paramam Padam for Liṅga-pūjā","lookup_keywords":["oṃ namaḥ śivāya","paramaṃ padam","liṅga-pūjā","śiva-sthiti","pañcākṣarī with praṇava"],"quick_summary":"Declares ‘oṃ namaḥ śivāya’ sufficient as the highest formula and prescribes it for worship of the liṅga, affirming Śiva’s abiding presence in the liṅga."}
Concept: Non-dual immanence: Śiva is ‘established’ in the liṅga; the supreme is accessible through a concise mantra.
Application: Adopt a single mantra as the core of daily worship (japa + pūjā), cultivating steadiness rather than multiplying formulas.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Shiva-linga Puja, Mantra-vidhi)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee worships a Śiva-liṅga with bilva leaves, water abhiṣeka, and flowers while the mantra ‘oṃ namaḥ śivāya’ is visually inscribed or emanating as sound.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: sanctum interior with liṅga on yoni-pīṭha, devotee offering bilva, flowing abhiṣeka stream, mantra syllables stylized in the air, deep reds/greens and lamp glow.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: iconic liṅga with ornate arch, thick gold leaf on lamps and vessels, devotee in añjali, ‘oṃ namaḥ śivāya’ in decorative script above, jewel-like colors.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear pūjā sequence depiction—abhisheka pot, bilva, flowers, incense; mantra text panel; refined lines and gentle shading.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: intimate shrine scene with marble-like pedestal, attendants with offerings, calligraphic mantra ribbon, intricate textiles and architectural details."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional-contemplative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यदोंनमः = यत् + ओम् + नमः. शिवायेति = शिवाय + इति. पूजयेल्लिङ्गं = पूजयेत् + लिङ्गम् (त् + ल → ल्ल).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 326 (liṅga-pūjā steps; mantra-prayoga; praṇava discussion)
FAQs
It teaches mantra-vidhi for Śaiva worship: the pañcākṣarī ‘namaḥ śivāya’ (prefaced by Oṃ) is presented as sufficient and is prescribed as the mantra for worshipping the Śiva-liṅga.
It exemplifies the Agni Purana’s practical ritual manual dimension—condensing doctrine (Śiva’s presence in the liṅga) into an actionable procedure (mantra-led liṅga-pūjā), alongside its many other domains like polity, medicine, and arts.
By identifying ‘Oṃ namaḥ śivāya’ as the “supreme” formula and directing it to liṅga worship, the verse frames the practice as a direct means to Śiva’s grace and spiritual attainment (parama-pada), with purificatory merit through devotion.