Praṇava-Māhātmya and the Twofold Mantra (Sūkṣma–Sthūla) in Śaiva Sādhanā
मुखं लिंगमिति प्रोक्तं शिवभक्तशरीरकम् । मृतान्दाहादियुक्तान्वा दाहादिरहितान्मृतान्
mukhaṃ liṃgamiti proktaṃ śivabhaktaśarīrakam | mṛtāndāhādiyuktānvā dāhādirahitānmṛtān
シヴァの帰依者の身体そのものがリンガであり、顔はリンガ(最も神聖なる相)であると説かれる。この教えは亡き者にも及び、火葬などの葬送儀礼が行われる場合も、行われない場合も同様である。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Establishes a bhakta-centered sanctity: the devotee’s body is treated as liṅga-like, implying that honoring devotees (living or deceased) yields Śiva’s grace and removes fear around death rites.
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
The verse elevates Śiva-bhakti above external conditions, teaching that a true devotee’s body is sanctified as Śiva’s emblem; thus reverence is due even after death, reflecting Shaiva Siddhānta’s emphasis on Pati’s grace purifying the paśu (soul) through devotion.
It expands Liṅga-reverence from a temple icon to the devotee’s embodied sanctity: the devotee is seen as a living seat of Saguna Śiva’s presence, with the face named as the foremost ‘Liṅga’ aspect deserving honor.
It implies respectful handling and reverent remembrance of Śiva’s devotee at death—maintaining devotion, mantra-smaraṇa (especially Śiva-nāma), and a pure, non-contemptuous attitude regardless of whether full cremation rites are possible.