Shloka 21
प्रणवार्थ-शिवतत्त्व-निर्णयः
The Determination of Śiva as the Meaning of Praṇava
उपदेशक्रमो ह्यादौ वक्तव्यश्श्रूयतामयम् । चातुर्व्वर्ण्यं हि लोकेस्मिन्प्रसिद्धम्मानुषे मुने
upadeśakramo hyādau vaktavyaśśrūyatāmayam | cāturvvarṇyaṃ hi lokesminprasiddhammānuṣe mune
First, the proper sequence of instruction should be stated—listen to it now. For in this human world, O sage, the fourfold order of society (the four varṇas) is well established.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It sets a Shaiva pedagogical principle: spiritual teaching should follow a proper sequence, beginning with dharma in the human world, so that the seeker becomes fit to progress toward Shiva-realization.
It implies eligibility and preparation: disciplined living and social-religious order support purity and steadiness, which then mature into focused Saguna Shiva worship (such as Linga-puja) leading toward higher understanding.
No single rite is named; the takeaway is to begin with disciplined dharmic practice and then proceed to structured Shiva upasana—commonly including mantra-japa (e.g., the Panchakshara) and regular worship according to one’s ordained duties.