Shloka 39

उमामहेश्वरव्रतं—पञ्चाक्षरमन्त्रस्य माहात्म्यं, न्यासः, जपविधिः, सदाचारः, विनियोगः

Devanagari script

एतावद् ब्रह्मविद्या च तस्मान्नित्यं जपेद्बुधः पञ्चाक्षरैः सप्रणवो मन्त्रो ऽयं हृदयं मम

Transliteration

etāvad brahmavidyā ca tasmānnityaṃ japedbudhaḥ pañcākṣaraiḥ sapraṇavo mantro 'yaṃ hṛdayaṃ mama

Translation

此即是梵智（Brahma-vidyā），解脱之至上明知。故智者当恒常持诵与“唵”（Oṃ）相应之五字真言；此真言即吾之心髓——湿婆为主宰（Pati），为内在之我，能松解被缚之灵（paśu）所系之缚索（pāśa）。

Word by Word

• एतावत्: this much/so much

• ब्रह्मविद्या: Brahmavidyā, knowledge of the Supreme

• च: and/indeed

• तस्मात्: therefore

• नित्यम्: always, constantly

• जपेत्: should repeat (in japa)

• बुधः: the wise person

• पञ्चाक्षरैः: with the five syllables (pañcākṣara)

• सप्रणवः: together with praṇava (Oṃ)

• मन्त्रः: mantra

• अयम्: this

• हृदयम्: heart/innermost essence

• मम: of me (Śiva).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the teaching as Shiva’s mantra-instruction within the Purana’s dialogue frame)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Om (Praṇava)
• Panchakshara Mantra

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It identifies the pañcākṣara joined with Oṃ as Brahmavidyā itself and as Śiva’s “heart,” making mantra-japa an essential inner form of liṅga-pūjā that purifies the paśu and turns consciousness toward Pati.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Śiva is presented as the indwelling essence (hṛdaya) of the liberating mantra—Pati who is directly realized through constant japa, transcending mere ritual into inner awakening.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Nitya-japa (daily, continual repetition) of the praṇava-sahita pañcākṣara—classically understood as “Oṃ Namaḥ Śivāya”—a core discipline aligned with Pāśupata-oriented purification and liberation.