Shloka 45
अवंतीस्थ-ब्राह्मणकथा तथा तृतीय-ज्योतिर्लिङ्गोपाख्यान-प्रस्तावना
Avanti Brahmin Narrative and Prelude to the Third Jyotirliṅga
तच्छ्रुत्वा ते द्विजास्सर्वे कृताञ्जलिपुटास्तदा । सुप्रणम्य शिवं भक्त्या प्रोचुस्संनतमस्तकाः
tacchrutvā te dvijāssarve kṛtāñjalipuṭāstadā | supraṇamya śivaṃ bhaktyā procussaṃnatamastakāḥ
Hearing that, all those twice-born sages then joined their palms in reverence. Bowing deeply to Lord Śiva with devotion, with heads humbly lowered, they spoke.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: The sages, having heard the sacred account, approach Śiva with añjali and praṇāma, initiating a petition that culminates in Śiva’s protective abiding presence and bestowal of liberation at the site.
Significance: Models the Śaiva Siddhānta path of approaching Pati (Śiva) through humility and bhakti; darśana-oriented devotion becomes the doorway to grace (anugraha).
FAQs
The verse highlights bhakti expressed through humility—listening with faith, joining the palms, and bowing to Śiva—showing the Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis on surrender to Pati (the Lord) as the foundation for receiving grace.
The external acts of añjali and praṇāma mirror how devotees approach Saguna Śiva in Linga worship—first offering reverence and surrender, then speaking prayers—indicating the proper devotional posture before the sacred presence.
It suggests beginning worship with śravaṇa (attentive hearing), followed by añjali and praṇāma; as a practical takeaway, one may start japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) after bowing with a steady, devoted mind.