Shloka 1
Devīkṛta-praśna-varṇana (Description of the Goddess’s Questions) / देवीकृतप्रश्नवर्णनम्
व्यास उवाच । साधु पृष्टमिदं विप्रा भवद्भिर्भाग्यवत्तमैः । दुर्लभं हि शिवज्ञानं प्रणवार्थप्रकाशकम्
vyāsa uvāca | sādhu pṛṣṭamidaṃ viprā bhavadbhirbhāgyavattamaiḥ | durlabhaṃ hi śivajñānaṃ praṇavārthaprakāśakam
Vyāsa said: “O brāhmaṇas, most fortunate among men, you have asked well. For the knowledge of Śiva is indeed rare—and it is that which illumines the true meaning of the Praṇava (Oṃ).”
Vyasa
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Positions śiva-jñāna as ‘durlabha’ (rare) and as the illuminator of praṇava-artha; implies that approaching authentic teaching is itself a high merit act akin to reaching a sacred kṣetra.
Mantra: praṇava (Oṃ) is referenced as the object whose meaning is illumined by śiva-jñāna; no full mantra is quoted.
Type: gayatri
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse teaches that true Śiva-jñāna is rare and precious, and that it alone clarifies the deepest import of Oṃ—pointing the seeker toward liberation through right understanding of Pati (Śiva) and His grace.
By praising the inquiry into Śiva-jñāna, the verse supports devotion and contemplation that begin with accessible Saguna worship (such as the Liṅga) and mature into inner realization that reveals the meaning of Praṇava.
Meditative japa of Praṇava (Oṃ) with Śiva-bhāva is implied—approaching Oṃ not merely as sound, but as a gateway to Śiva-jñāna; this is commonly paired in Shaiva practice with mantra-japa and disciplined contemplation.