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
Einst, im Daru-Wald, ereignete sich ein Vorfall, der die zweimal Geborenen, die Weisen, betraf. Hört diesen Bericht aufmerksam; ich werde ihn rechtmäßig erzählen, so wie er in der heiligen Überlieferung vernommen wurde.
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.