Shloka 41
Paramātma-Svarūpa-Nirṇaya: Strī–Puṃ–Napuṃsaka-Vicāra
Inquiry into the Supreme Self and Gendered Forms
हंसस्य प्रतिलोमः स्यात्सकारार्थश्शिवः स्मृतः । शक्त्यात्मको महामन्त्रवाच्यः स्यादिति निर्णयः
haṃsasya pratilomaḥ syātsakārārthaśśivaḥ smṛtaḥ | śaktyātmako mahāmantravācyaḥ syāditi nirṇayaḥ
‘ഹംസം’ എന്നതിന്റെ പ്രതിലോമം ‘സ-ഹ’ ആകുന്നു. ‘സ’കാരാർഥം ശിവനെന്നും ‘ഹ’കാരമോ ശക്ത്യാത്മകമെന്നും സ്മരിക്കപ്പെടുന്നു; അതിനാൽ ‘സ-ഹ’ തന്നെയാണ് മഹാമന്ത്രവാച്യം എന്ന നിർണ്ണയം.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shaiva esoteric teaching as received in the Kailasa tradition)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Ardhanarishvara
FAQs
It teaches the inner, yogic reading of mantra: the haṃsa-principle (linked with the breath) when reversed as “sa-ha” reveals the inseparable unity of Śiva (Pati) and Śakti—pointing to liberation through recognizing their non-separation in one’s own consciousness.
In Saguna worship, the Liṅga is revered as Śiva together with His power (Śakti). This verse supports that theology by stating that the ‘Great Mantra’ ultimately signifies both—Śiva as the Lord and Śakti as His inherent potency—just as Liṅga worship honors the unified reality behind form.
A practical takeaway is japa combined with breath-awareness: contemplate the haṃsa current in inhalation/exhalation and meditate on ‘sa’ as Śiva and ‘ha’ as Śakti, letting the mind rest in their unity—supporting mantra-sādhana alongside traditional Shaiva practices like bhasma and Rudrākṣa.