Shloka 4
पूर्वगतिवर्णनम् (Pūrvagati-varṇana) — “Description of the Prior Course / Earlier Lineage Account”
तासां विवाहमकरोत्स वरैः कश्यपादिभिः । विदितं ते समस्तं तत्प्रस्तुतं शृणु नारद
tāsāṃ vivāhamakarotsa varaiḥ kaśyapādibhiḥ | viditaṃ te samastaṃ tatprastutaṃ śṛṇu nārada
He arranged their marriages with the excellent sages—Kaśyapa and others. All of that is already known to you; now, O Nārada, listen to what is presently being narrated.
Brahmā (narrating to Nārada)
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
It emphasizes śravaṇa (reverent listening) to the Purāṇic account as a dharmic means of receiving truth—shifting from what is already known to the essential teaching now being unfolded, which ultimately supports devotion to Pati (Śiva) and right understanding.
Though not directly about Liṅga-pūjā, it sets the narrative frame typical of the Shiva Purana: authoritative transmission from a higher knower to a devotee-sage. Such śravaṇa prepares the mind for Saguna Śiva-bhakti (devotion to Śiva with attributes) and later ritual teachings like Liṅga worship.
The implied practice is śravaṇa and manana—listening attentively and reflecting. A simple complementary discipline is to begin recitation/listening with the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” to steady the mind before hearing the कथा (sacred narrative).