Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 3
विभूतिविस्तरप्रश्नः / Inquiry into the Expansion of Śiva’s Vibhūti
ऋषयश्चापि ते सर्वे नैमिषारण्यवासिनः । अथायमर्थः प्रष्टव्य इति कृत्वा विनिश्चयम्
ṛṣayaścāpi te sarve naimiṣāraṇyavāsinaḥ | athāyamarthaḥ praṣṭavya iti kṛtvā viniścayam
وأمّا جميع الحكماء المقيمين في نيميشَارَنيَة، فقد استقرّ رأيهم بحزم: «لا بدّ أن يُسأل عن هذا الأمر الآن»، فعزموا على الاستفسار أكثر لكي تُعرَف حقيقة شيفا، الربّ، معرفةً جليّة.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Sthala Purana: Naimiṣāraṇya is portrayed as a dharma-kṣetra where sages seek clarifying instruction; the verse marks the collective resolve to inquire into Śiva-tattva.
Significance: Merit of śravaṇa and praśna (hearing and inquiry) in a tīrtha of sages; supports jñāna-bhakti leading toward Śiva’s anugraha.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights the Shaiva principle that liberation-oriented wisdom begins with sincere inquiry: the sages unite in a clear intention to question so that the truth of Pati (Śiva) and the path beyond bondage can be properly understood.
Their decision to ask sets the narrative ground for teachings that typically move from accessible Saguna devotion (such as Linga worship and disciplined practice) toward deeper understanding of Śiva’s supreme reality and grace.
The verse mainly recommends a meditative discipline of śravaṇa and praśna (listening and questioning) with focused intent; it indirectly supports practices commonly taught in the Shiva Purana—japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” along with devotion-guided contemplation.