Shloka 8

दारुवनलीला—नीललोहितपरीक्षा, ब्रह्मोपदेशः, अतिथिधर्मः, संन्यासक्रमः

Devanagari script

निवृत्तिलक्षणज्ञानप्रतिष्ठार्थं च शङ्करः देवदारुवनस्थानां प्रवृत्तिज्ञानचेतसाम्

Transliteration

nivṛttilakṣaṇajñānapratiṣṭhārthaṃ ca śaṅkaraḥ devadāruvanasthānāṃ pravṛttijñānacetasām

Translation

And Śaṅkara, to firmly establish the true knowledge marked by nivṛtti—the inward path of renunciation—approached those dwelling in the Devadāru forest, whose minds were set upon pravṛtti-knowledge, the outward ritual orientation.

Word by Word

• निवृत्ति-लक्षण: characterized by withdrawal/renunciation

• ज्ञान: true knowledge (jñāna)

• प्रतिष्ठा-अर्थम्: for the purpose of establishing firmly

• च: and

• शङ्करः: Śaṅkara (Lord Shiva, the auspicious one)

• देवदारुवन-स्थानाम्: of those residing in the Devadāru forest

• प्रवृत्ति-ज्ञान: knowledge oriented to outward action/ritual (pravṛtti)

• चेतसाम्: of those whose minds/consciousness are (so inclined)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Shankara)

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva’s purpose as establishing nivṛtti-jñāna—implying that Linga worship is not merely external ritual (pravṛtti), but a means to inward turning toward Pati (Shiva) beyond bondage.

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

Shiva appears as Śaṅkara, the gracious Pati, who reorients beings from outwardly fixated knowledge to liberating insight—showing Shiva-tattva as the source and establisher of mokṣa-giving jñāna.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights a shift from pravṛtti-centered ritualism to nivṛtti-centered discipline—aligned with Pāśupata orientation: inner purification, detachment, and knowledge that loosens pāśa (bondage) for the paśu (soul).