Praṇava-Māhātmya and the Twofold Mantra (Sūkṣma–Sthūla) in Śaiva Sādhanā
पूजयेच्च शिवं शक्तिं स शिवो मूलभावनात् । शिवभक्ताञ्छिवमंत्ररूपकाञ्छिवरूपकान्
pūjayecca śivaṃ śaktiṃ sa śivo mūlabhāvanāt | śivabhaktāñchivamaṃtrarūpakāñchivarūpakān
शक्तीसह शिवाची पूजा करावी; मूलभावनेने तो उपासक शिवतुल्य होतो. तसेच शिवभक्तांचा सन्मान करावा—ते शिवमंत्रस्वरूप व शिवरूपच आहेत।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Type: panchakshara
Shakti Form: Umā
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
It teaches that true Śaiva worship includes Śiva united with Śakti, and that reverence to Śiva’s devotees is direct reverence to Śiva—because devotion and mantra transform the devotee into a living vessel of Śiva’s presence.
In Linga/Saguṇa worship, Śiva is approached through sacred form and mantra; this verse extends that principle by stating that devotees who live by Śiva-mantra are also to be honored as Śiva’s manifestation, reinforcing devotional service (sevā) as part of ritual worship.
Perform Śiva–Śakti pūjā with steady mūla-bhāvanā (root contemplation of their divine unity), and practice bhakta-pūjā—serving Śiva’s devotees—along with regular japa of Śiva-mantra (especially the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”).