Shloka 33
Dāruvana-parīkṣā: Śaṅkara’s Test and the Linga’s Ritual-Theological Grounding
तद्विधिम्प्रवदाम्यद्य सर्वे शृणुत सत्तमाः । तामेव कुरुत प्रेम्णा प्रसन्ना सा भविष्यति
tadvidhimpravadāmyadya sarve śṛṇuta sattamāḥ | tāmeva kuruta premṇā prasannā sā bhaviṣyati
Today I shall declare that sacred procedure—listen, all you best of the good. Perform that very observance with loving devotion (bhakti); she will surely become gracious and pleased.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: Introduces the forthcoming vidhi (procedure) whose aim is Devī’s prasāda (graciousness), thereby enabling successful Śiva worship and stability of the manifestation; not localized to a Jyotirliṅga.
Significance: Highlights bhakti as the efficacious means: performing the rite with prema leads to prasāda—anugraha that removes impediments to worship and welfare.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that ritual correctness (vidhi) becomes spiritually fruitful when performed with prema (loving devotion); such bhakti makes the worshipful deity “prasanna,” granting grace that leads toward Shiva’s blessings and liberation.
In Kotirudra contexts of pilgrimage and Jyotirlinga worship, the verse underscores Saguna upasana: follow the prescribed method of Linga worship, but let devotion be the inner power that draws divine favor.
It points to performing the stated puja-vidhi with devotion—typically including mantra-japa (such as Panchakshara), offerings to the Linga, and a prayerful mind—because heartfelt bhakti is what makes the worship effective.