Shloka 7
प्रणवमहिमा — The Greatness of the Praṇava (Om) as Śiva
शिवो वा प्रणवो ह्येष प्रणवो वा शिवः स्मृतः । वाच्यवाचकयोर्भेदो नात्यंतं विद्यते यतः
śivo vā praṇavo hyeṣa praṇavo vā śivaḥ smṛtaḥ | vācyavācakayorbhedo nātyaṃtaṃ vidyate yataḥ
یہ پرنَو (اوم) ہی شِو ہے، اور پرنَو کو بھی شِو ہی سمجھا گیا ہے؛ کیونکہ وाच्य (معنی) اور وाचک (لفظ) کا فرق بالکل مطلق نہیں۔
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Mantra: oṃ
Type: gayatri
FAQs
It teaches that Oṁ (Praṇava) is not merely a symbol pointing to Shiva, but is inseparably united with Him—like meaning and word—supporting mantra as a direct means to Shiva-realization and liberation.
Just as the Linga is a sacred form through which the formless (Nirguṇa) Shiva is approached, Praṇava is the sonic form through which Shiva is worshiped; the verse affirms that the sign (sound/form) and the signified (Shiva) are not ultimately separate.
Japa and dhyāna on Praṇava (Oṁ)—often together with the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—with the understanding that the mantra is Shiva’s own presence, is the primary takeaway.