Shloka 22
Devīkṛta-praśna-varṇana (Description of the Goddess’s Questions) / देवीकृतप्रश्नवर्णनम्
कथम्प्रणव उत्पन्नः कथं प्रणव उच्यते । मात्राः कति समाख्याताः कथं वेदादिरुच्यते
kathampraṇava utpannaḥ kathaṃ praṇava ucyate | mātrāḥ kati samākhyātāḥ kathaṃ vedādirucyate
ปรณวะเกิดขึ้นได้อย่างไร และเหตุใดจึงเรียกว่า ‘ปรณวะ’? มีมาตรา (หน่วยเสียง) กี่ประการที่กล่าวไว้? และเหตุใดจึงกล่าวว่าเป็นปฐมแห่งพระเวท?
Sages of Naimiṣāraṇya (questioning Sūta Gosvāmin)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Mantra: oṃ
Type: gayatri
FAQs
The verse frames Praṇava (Oṃ) as the primary sacred sound whose origin, structure (mātrās), and status as the seed of Vedic revelation must be understood—pointing seekers toward mantra-śāstra and inner realization of Pati (Śiva) as the ground of all śabda.
In Śaiva Siddhānta-oriented reading, Praṇava supports Saguna upāsanā as the audible form that leads the mind to Śiva’s presence; it becomes the sonic basis for mantra-japa (including Śiva mantras) that culminates in steadiness of devotion and contemplation of the Liṅga as the focus of worship.
It suggests praṇava-japa and dhyāna on Oṃ with attention to its mātrās (A-U-M and the ensuing silence), as a preparatory discipline that supports Śiva-mantra practice such as “Oṃ Namaḥ Śivāya,” especially in daily worship and Mahāśivarātri observances.