Shloka 36
नभोवाणी-दक्ष-निन्दा तथा सती-माहात्म्य-प्रतिपादनम् / The Celestial Voice Rebukes Dakṣa and Proclaims Satī’s Greatness
ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्युक्त्वाध्वरशालायामखिलायां सुसंस्थितान् । व्यरमत्सा नभोवाणी सर्वकल्याणकारिणी
brahmovāca | ityuktvādhvaraśālāyāmakhilāyāṃ susaṃsthitān | vyaramatsā nabhovāṇī sarvakalyāṇakāriṇī
Brahmā said: Having spoken thus, the heavenly voice—bestower of every auspicious good—fell silent, while all those assembled remained properly seated throughout the sacrificial hall.
Brahmā
Tattva Level: pasha
Sthala Purana: The ‘nabhovāṇī’ (voice from the sky) functions as a revelatory interruption: it discloses impending consequences, then withdraws—mirroring concealment (tirodhāna) before the manifest upheaval.
Significance: Highlights the Purāṇic pedagogy: divine warning is grace-adjacent, but its cessation tests the assembly’s discernment (viveka) amid māyā’s pageantry of ritual.
FAQs
The verse highlights that divine revelation (nabhovāṇī) brings auspiciousness and then withdraws into silence, implying that seekers must internalize the instruction with steadiness and receptivity—an essential Shaiva attitude of śravaṇa (listening), manana (reflection), and inner alignment toward Pati (Śiva).
A ‘voice from the sky’ functions as saguna guidance—Śiva’s grace operating through manifest signs. In Shaiva practice, such outer संकेत (indications) ultimately direct attention to stable worship and contemplation of Śiva—often centered on the Liṅga as a concrete support for devotion and discipline.
Maintain ritual order and inner stillness after receiving sacred instruction: sit steadily, observe silence, and continue worship with focused mind—optionally supporting this with japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and calm breath-awareness to ‘hold’ the auspicious teaching.