Shloka 5
Dāruvana-parīkṣā: Śaṅkara’s Test and the Linga’s Ritual-Theological Grounding
पुरा दारुवने जातं यद्वृत्तं तु द्विजन्मनाम् । तदेव श्रूयतां सम्यक् कथयामि कथाश्रुतम्
purā dāruvane jātaṃ yadvṛttaṃ tu dvijanmanām | tadeva śrūyatāṃ samyak kathayāmi kathāśrutam
قديماً، في غابة دارو، وقع حادثٌ يخصّ الحكماء من «ذوي الميلادين». فاستمعوا إلى ذلك الخبر بعناية؛ سأرويه على وجهه كما سُمِع في السلسلة المقدّسة من الرواية.
Suta Goswami
Sthala Purana: Introductory framing to the Dāruvana episode: Sūta announces the received account (kathāśruta) of an ancient incident involving brāhmaṇa sages in the forest—setting up Śiva’s later intervention/testing and the theme of grace beyond ritual pride.
Significance: Establishes śravaṇa (devotional listening) as a means of merit and right understanding before ritual action; prepares the listener for a didactic narrative on Śiva’s anugraha.
FAQs
It formally introduces a revered Shaiva narration (the Daruvana episode), signaling that true understanding of Shiva arises through attentive listening (śravaṇa) and humility, not merely by birth-status or ritual pride.
The Daruvana account is traditionally connected with Shiva revealing himself to sages and correcting misconceptions—preparing the ground for understanding Saguna Shiva’s compassionate self-manifestation, often culminating in Linga-centered devotion.
The immediate practice implied is śravaṇa—devout listening to Shiva-kathā with focused attention; as the narrative unfolds, it typically supports disciplined worship such as mantra-japa (especially Panchakshara) and reverence to the Linga.