हरिरुवाच । शृणु दक्ष प्रवक्ष्यामि तत्त्वतः शृणु मे वचः । सर्वथा ते हितकरं महामंत्रसुखप्रदम्
hariruvāca | śṛṇu dakṣa pravakṣyāmi tattvataḥ śṛṇu me vacaḥ | sarvathā te hitakaraṃ mahāmaṃtrasukhapradam
Hari (Viṣṇu) said: “Listen, Dakṣa. I shall tell you the truth—hear my words. They are beneficial to you in every way, and they bestow the joy that comes from the great mantra.”
Lord Vishnu (Hari)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
The verse frames mantra-teaching as “tattvataḥ”—rooted in true understanding—showing that spiritual welfare comes from aligning one’s intention and conduct with sacred truth, not merely from social status or ritual pride.
By introducing a “mahāmantra” that grants inner joy, the text prepares the listener for Saguna worship—devotional mantra-japa and reverence toward Shiva (often centered on the Liṅga) as a practical means to purify the mind and approach the Supreme.
Mantra-śravaṇa (attentive listening) followed by mantra-japa with sincerity; the verse emphasizes receptivity and truth-oriented practice as the foundation for receiving the mantra’s fruit (sukha).