Shloka 123
सूत उवाच । अष्टादशपुराणानाम्पूर्वं नामोदितन्त्वया । कुरु निर्वचनं तेषामिदानीं वेदवित्तम
sūta uvāca | aṣṭādaśapurāṇānāmpūrvaṃ nāmoditantvayā | kuru nirvacanaṃ teṣāmidānīṃ vedavittama
Sūta said: “Earlier you have already stated the names of the eighteen Purāṇas. Now, O best among the knowers of the Veda, please give their proper derivations and explanations.”
Suta Goswami
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
It emphasizes śāstra-vicāra (discernment through scripture): knowing mere names is incomplete without understanding their intended meaning, which supports right knowledge (jñāna) on the path to Shiva.
By asking for nirvacana (authoritative explanation), the verse models how Shaiva practice is grounded in correct understanding—so Linga worship and Saguna Shiva devotion are performed with clarity of doctrine rather than as empty ritual.
The implied practice is svādhyāya—regular study and contemplation of Purāṇic and Vedic teachings—supporting mantra-japa (such as the Panchākṣarī) with informed devotion.