Shloka 37
Kāla-vañcana (Overcoming/Outwitting Time) and the Pañcabhūta Basis of the Body
प्रत्ययो दृश्यते वृद्धे किं पुनस्तरुणे जने । न चोंकारो न मन्त्रोपि नैव बीजं न चाक्षरम्
pratyayo dṛśyate vṛddhe kiṃ punastaruṇe jane | na coṃkāro na mantropi naiva bījaṃ na cākṣaram
ವೃದ್ಧನಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಇಂತಹ ದೃಢ ನಿಶ್ಚಯ ಕಾಣಿಸಿದರೆ, ಯುವಜನನಲ್ಲಿ ಅದು ಎಷ್ಟು ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗುವುದೋ! ಏಕೆಂದರೆ ಈ ಪರಮಾನುಭವದಲ್ಲಿ ಓಂಕಾರವೂ ಇಲ್ಲ, ಮಂತ್ರವೂ ಇಲ್ಲ—ಬೀಜಾಕ್ಷರವೂ ಇಲ್ಲ, ಅಕ್ಷರವೂ ಇಲ್ಲ।
Lord Shiva (in a philosophical instruction within the Umāsaṃhitā dialogue)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Role: liberating
FAQs
It points to the highest Shaiva realization where the soul’s certainty in Shiva becomes direct and self-evident, transcending reliance on external supports like syllables and ritual formulae.
Linga and Saguna worship, along with Oṁ and mantra, are powerful means (upāyas) for purification and devotion; this verse highlights the culmination where the seeker abides in Shiva-consciousness beyond verbal symbols.
Practice mantra-japa and Linga-bhakti as preparatory disciplines, but aim toward silent, steady absorption where conviction in Shiva remains even without repeating Oṁ or any bīja.