Shiva Purana — Vidyesvara Samhita, Shloka 24

Praṇava-Māhātmya and the Twofold Mantra (Sūkṣma–Sthūla) in Śaiva Sādhanā

Devanagari script

शुद्धयोगेन संयुक्तो जीवन्मुक्तो न संशयः । सदा जपन्सदाध्यायञ्छिवं प्रणवरूपिणम्

Transliteration

śuddhayogena saṃyukto jīvanmukto na saṃśayaḥ | sadā japansadādhyāyañchivaṃ praṇavarūpiṇam

Translation

Ang sinumang nakaugnay sa dalisay na yoga ay jīvanmukta—malaya kahit nasa katawan pa—walang pag-aalinlangan. Siya’y laging nagja-japa at laging nagsasagawa ng banal na pag-aaral, nagmumuni kay Śiva na siyang anyo mismo ng Praṇava (Oṁ).

Word by Word

• śuddha-yogena: by pure yoga
• śuddha-yogena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śuddha (प्रातिपदिक) + yoga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; compound used as instrument (करण)

• saṃyuktaḥ: joined/connected
• saṃyuktaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sam-√yuj (धातु) + kta (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; agrees with subject

• jīvan-muktaḥ: a living-liberated one
• jīvan-muktaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jīvat (प्रातिपदिक) + mukta (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; substantive ‘one who is liberated while living’

• na: not/no
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle (निषेध)

• saṃśayaḥ: doubt
• saṃśayaḥ: Pradhāna (विधेय/Predicate)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṃśaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; predicate noun

• sadā: always
• sadā: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण) of time

• japan: chanting
• japan: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √jap (धातु) + śatṛ (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; attendant action of subject

• sadā-adhyāyan: constantly studying/reciting
• sadā-adhyāyan: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sadā (अव्यय) + adhyāya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyayībhāva compound ‘sadā-adhyāya’ + present active participle sense; Masculine, Nominative, Singular; ‘constantly studying/reciting’

• śivam: Śiva
• śivam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; object of chanting/meditation

• praṇava-rūpiṇam: having the form of Praṇava (Oṃ)
• praṇava-rūpiṇam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: praṇava (प्रातिपदिक) + rūpin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; tatpuruṣa ‘having the form of praṇava’; qualifies ‘śivam’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Mantra Metadata

Mantra: ॐ (praṇava) — implied by 'praṇavarūpiṇam'

Type: gayatri

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It declares that steadfast union with śuddha-yoga—purified discipline centered on Śiva—culminates in jīvanmukti, liberation even while the body remains, sustained by continuous japa and sacred contemplation.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

By calling Śiva “praṇava-rūpi,” the verse links Saguna worship (mantra, japa, and meditative form) with the subtlest symbol—Oṁ—often contemplated along with the Liṅga as the accessible support for realizing the Supreme Pati.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Daily japa and adhyāya (recitation/study) focused on Śiva as Oṁ (Praṇava), i.e., mantra-centered meditation—especially suitable for regular Shiva-upāsanā and Mahāśivarātri observance.