Shloka 52

दारुवनलीला—नीललोहितपरीक्षा, ब्रह्मोपदेशः, अतिथिधर्मः, संन्यासक्रमः

Devanagari script

शेषामिवाज्ञामादाय मूर्ध्ना सा प्राचरत्तदा परीक्षितुं तथा श्रद्धां तयोः साक्षाद् द्विजोत्तमाः

Transliteration

śeṣāmivājñāmādāya mūrdhnā sā prācarattadā parīkṣituṃ tathā śraddhāṃ tayoḥ sākṣād dvijottamāḥ

Translation

Sie nahm ihren Befehl auf ihr Haupt, als wäre es der heilige Rest einer Opfergabe, und handelte sogleich danach. Um den Glauben (śraddhā) der beiden zu prüfen, erschienen die erhabensten Brāhmaṇas (dvijottama) leibhaftig.

Word by Word

• śeṣām iva: like the sacred remainder (prasāda)

• ājñām: the command/ordinance

• ādāya: having taken up/accepted

• mūrdhnā: on the head (as a sign of reverence)

• sā: she

• prācarat: acted/performed accordingly

• tadā: then/at that time

• parīkṣitum: in order to test

• tathā: thus/indeed

• śraddhām: faith, reverent trust

• tayoḥ: of the two

• sākṣāt: directly, manifestly

• dvijottamāḥ: the best of the twice-born (excellent Brahmanas).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Dvijottamas (Brahmanas)

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It frames śraddhā and humble acceptance of dharmic instruction as foundational; Linga-pūjā bears fruit when the pashu (soul) softens ego and receives right command as prasāda.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Indirectly, it points to Shiva-tattva as the revealer of inner sincerity: true devotion is tested and made manifest, loosening pāśa (bondage) through disciplined śraddhā rather than mere display.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The practice of mūrdhni-ājñā-dhāraṇa—placing sacred instruction ‘on the head’—signifies surrender and humility, a key inner limb that supports Pāśupata-oriented sādhana and effective pūjā.