Listen, O seekers, to the wisdom imparted by the ancient sages. Through compassion, the worshipper attains inner sovereignty—a profound bliss that arises from within. Therefore, O best among sages, for the sake of that inner joy, one should engage in worship. One is urged to worship the Shiva-linga, which embodies both the father and the mother. The divine principle known as Bharga is said to be of the nature of Purusha, the cosmic spirit, while Bharga is also called Prakriti, the creative force of nature. The scriptures teach that the embryo, when its inner abode is unmanifest, is called Purusha; when the inner abode is manifest, it is known as Prakriti. The embryo is Purusha, the progenitor, and from the union of Purusha and Prakriti, the first birth arises. When Prakriti becomes manifest, the second birth is described. All beings born from this process are destined for death, having originated from Purusha. Otherwise, birth is inevitably brought about by Māyā, the power of illusion; whatever is born perishes in time, and thus the embodied soul is so named. Birth binds the soul with fetters, and this bound soul is called the jīva. To remove the bondage of birth, one should worship the emblem of birth—the sacred mark. It is said that 'bhaṃ' means to grow, so 'bhaga' is known as the source. Through common words and natural means, by the enjoyment of the senses, it is recognized as nature. The primary meaning of 'bhaga' is enjoyment; this is its chief sense. The main 'bhaga' is nature itself, and Shiva is called the possessor of 'bhaga'. The blessed Lord is the giver of enjoyment; no other bestows such joy. The lord of 'bhaga' is also known as 'bharga' by the wise. The emblem joined with 'bhaga', or 'bhaga' united with the emblem, is meant for enjoyment here on earth and beyond, indeed for perpetual enjoyment. Thus, one should worship the blessed Mahādeva as the emblem of Shiva. The sun is the creator of the world, and that mark arises from creation itself. The mark that reveals the meaning of the emblem is called the emblem. The emblem signifies the purpose of the person, for it unites with Shiva; the union of the marks of Shiva and Shakti is called the emblem. By worshipping one’s own mark, satisfaction arises; the function of the mark is not lost. From birth onward, the function of the mark is removed. One should worship the emblem of Shiva with sixteen offerings, both external and internal, using ordinary means accessible to all. On the day of the sun, worship removes the bondage of birth. On the first day, the great emblem should be worshipped with the sacred syllable. On this day, the ablution with the five sacred products of the cow—cow dung, cow urine, milk, curd, and ghee—is especially prescribed. In addition, one should make separate offerings of milk and similar items, as well as honey and sugarcane juice, all as food derived from cow’s milk, using the sacred syllable in the ritual. The emblem of sound is the sacred syllable; the emblem of resonance is self-born; the emblem of the dot is the device, and the syllable 'ma' is established. The syllable 'u' is the moving emblem, while 'a' is the form of the teacher. By constantly worshipping these six emblems, one is liberated while living, without doubt. Worship of Shiva with devotion grants liberation from birth. By wearing rudrākṣa beads, one attains half a step toward liberation; by wearing sacred ashes, another half step is gained. By reciting mantras, three steps are achieved. Through worship and full devotion, both the emblem of Shiva and the devotee are honored, and a person attains liberation. Whoever recites or listens to this teaching with concentration finds their devotion to Shiva growing ever firmer, O twice-born ones. At this, the sages humbly ask: “O great sage, tell us of the greatness of Praṇava, the sixfold Liṅga, and the worship of a devotee of Shiva.” The sage replies, “O ascetics, you have asked a worthy question. Only Mahadeva, the great Lord, knows the answer to this; no one else possesses such knowledge. Now, by the grace of Shiva, I shall explain. May Shiva, the great Lord, protect us all. “The wise know Praṇava, the sacred syllable Om, as a new boat for one who is born into the vast ocean of worldly existence, which arises from nature. The syllable 'pra' signifies the fivefold manifestation; know that Praṇava is yours, for it leads you to liberation in the highest way. “For those who recite their own mantra, for yogins and those who worship with their own mantra, Praṇava destroys all karma and bestows new divine knowledge. That very Praṇava, which is free from illusion and ever new, is called the supreme, pure essence in its highest form. “The wise know Praṇava as that which ever renews; Praṇava is described in various ways, as subtle and gross. The subtle Praṇava is known as the single syllable; the gross as five syllables. The subtle is the unmanifest with five sounds; the other is manifest with clear sounds. “For one liberated while living, the subtle is indeed the essence of all. By meditating on its meaning with the mantra, one should continue until the dissolution of the body. When the body dissolves, one surely attains complete union with Shiva. Yet, even by mantra recitation alone, one certainly attains union. “By reciting thirty-six crores of the mantra, one surely attains union. The subtle Praṇava is to be known as twofold, distinguished as short and long. It consists of 'a', 'u', and then 'ma', together with bindu (the dot) and nada (the sound), endowed with measures of sound and time. “Thus, the long Praṇava is held in the heart by yogins; the short Praṇava is said to be the essence of the three principles, ending with 'ma'. Shiva and Shakti are united in 'ma', which is of triple nature; thus, the short form is to be recited by those who seek the destruction of all sins. “From earth, air, sky, fire, water, and the ten directions arise the tenfold sounds; these are said to be the sources of manifestation.” Thus, the teachings flow from the mouth of the wise, illuminating the path of worship, the mystery of birth and liberation, and the supreme glory of the sacred syllable and the emblem of Shiva.