Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 42
शिशुकस्य शिवशास्त्रप्राप्तिः (Śiśuka’s Attainment of Śaiva Teaching and Grace)
सप्तकोटिमहामंत्राः सर्वे सप्रणवाः परे । तस्मिन्नेव विलीयंते पुनस्तस्माद्विनिर्गताः
saptakoṭimahāmaṃtrāḥ sarve sapraṇavāḥ pare | tasminneva vilīyaṃte punastasmādvinirgatāḥ
Os sete crores de grandes mantras—todos supremos e todos unidos ao praṇava “Oṁ”—dissolvem-se somente Nele; e, novamente, somente Dele, surgem e se manifestam.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Mantra: प्रणव (Oṃ) implied: ‘सप्रणवाः’
Cosmic Event: Cyclic emanation and reabsorption of mantra-śakti (a microcosmic analogue of sṛṣṭi–saṃhāra).
FAQs
It teaches that all mantra-power ultimately belongs to Pati (Shiva): mantras arise from Him, function by His Śakti, and return into Him in yogic absorption—pointing to Shiva as the transcendent source and final refuge of all sacred sound.
In Saguna worship, the devotee uses Oṁ and Shiva-mantras as audible supports to approach the Linga; this verse grounds that practice by stating that the mantra’s efficacy is Shiva Himself—sound (mantra) leading the mind back to its source in the Lord.
Japa of Oṁ-prefaced Shiva mantras (especially the Panchākṣarī) with dhyāna: let the mantra arise clearly, then allow it to dissolve into inner stillness, recognizing Shiva as the source and end of the sound.