प्रसाद-ज्ञान-योग-मोक्षक्रमः तथा व्यास-रुद्रावतार-मन्वन्तर-परम्परा
भल्लावी मधुपिङ्गश्च श्वेतकेतुस्तपोनिधिः उशिको बृहदश्वश् च देवलः कविरेव च
bhallāvī madhupiṅgaśca śvetaketustaponidhiḥ uśiko bṛhadaśvaś ca devalaḥ kavireva ca
ভল্লাবী, মধুপিঙ্গ, তপোনিধি শ্বেতকেতু, উশিক, বৃহদশ্ব, দেবল ও কবি—এঁরা শৈব দর্শন রক্ষাকারী পবিত্র পরম্পরার ঋষি; তপস্যা ও নিয়মে পতী শিবের উপলব্ধি দান করেন।
Suta Goswami
It functions as a remembrance of the rishi-lineage that safeguards Shaiva teachings; in Linga worship, such lineage (paramparā) is treated as a living channel through which correct mantra, vidhi, and devotion reach the practitioner.
Indirectly, by highlighting tapas and realized sages: Shiva-tattva is approached as Pati (the Lord) known through purification and insight, with the pashu (individual soul) becoming fit to recognize Him as bondage (pāśa) is attenuated.
Tapas (austerity/discipline) is foregrounded through the epithet “taponidhi”; it aligns with Pāśupata-oriented purification—restraint, observance, and sustained practice supporting Shiva-bhakti and right worship.