Praṇava-Māhātmya and the Twofold Mantra (Sūkṣma–Sthūla) in Śaiva Sādhanā
स्वयं चैव शिवो भूत्वा परां शक्तिं प्रपूजयेत् । शक्तिं बेरं च लिंगं च ह्यालेख्या मायया यजेत्
svayaṃ caiva śivo bhūtvā parāṃ śaktiṃ prapūjayet | śaktiṃ beraṃ ca liṃgaṃ ca hyālekhyā māyayā yajet
于内在认同中自觉即是湿婆本身,应礼敬至上圣力(Śakti)。凭借神圣观想之力,也当礼敬圣力、圣像之贝拉形(Bera)与林伽(Liṅga),在心中描绘而奉献恭敬。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: liberating
It teaches that true Śaiva worship begins with inner transformation—mentally assuming the standpoint of Śiva (pure consciousness) and then honoring the Supreme Śakti, showing the inseparable unity of Pati (Śiva) and His power (Śakti) in sādhanā.
The verse explicitly includes worship of the Liṅga and the Bera (icon), affirming saguna-upāsanā while grounding it in inner realization: the devotee performs external/mental offerings while remembering Śiva as the indwelling reality behind the form.
It points to mānasa-pūjā (mental worship): visualizing/‘drawing’ Śakti, the icon, and the Liṅga in the mind and offering devotion. This can be paired with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) as one’s inner bhāvanā during worship.