Shloka 23
Praṇava-Māhātmya and the Twofold Mantra (Sūkṣma–Sthūla) in Śaiva Sādhanā
एवमष्टोत्तरशतकोटिजप्तेन वै पुनः । प्रणवेन प्रबुद्धस्तु शुद्धयोगमवाप्नुयात्
evamaṣṭottaraśatakoṭijaptena vai punaḥ | praṇavena prabuddhastu śuddhayogamavāpnuyāt
एवमष्टोत्तरशतकोटिप्रमाणेन पुनः प्रणवजपं कृत्वा। तेन प्रणवेन प्रबुद्धः साधकः शुद्धयोगमवाप्नुयात्॥
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Mantra: ॐ (praṇava)
Type: gayatri
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches that sustained Praṇava (Oṁ) japa awakens inner consciousness and culminates in śuddha-yoga—purified spiritual discipline oriented toward liberation under Śiva’s grace.
In the Vidyeśvarasaṃhitā, mantra practice supports both Saguna worship (Linga-upāsanā with devotion) and inner realization; Oṁ functions as a seed that leads the devotee from external reverence to purified meditative absorption.
A disciplined practice of Praṇava japa (Oṁ repetition), undertaken in large count with steadiness and purity; it can be paired with Shaiva observances like bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and focused meditation to stabilize yoga.