Shloka 2
Umā-caritra-prārthanā: Ṛṣayaḥ Sūtaṃ Pṛcchanti
Request for the Account of Umā
इदानीं श्रोतुमिच्छामस्त्वत्तो ब्रह्मविदां वर । चरित्रं जगदंबाया भगवत्या मनोहरम्
idānīṃ śrotumicchāmastvatto brahmavidāṃ vara | caritraṃ jagadaṃbāyā bhagavatyā manoharam
Now we wish to hear from you, O best among the knowers of Brahman, the enchanting sacred account of the Blessed Jagadambā—the Mother of the universe.
Sages at Naimisharanya (ṛṣis) addressing Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Significance: Frames Devī-caritra as a śravaṇa-worthy upadeśa from a brahmavid-śreṣṭha; in Siddhānta, knowledge leading to liberation is mediated by competent teacher and Śiva’s grace.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: teaching
FAQs
It expresses the disciple-like yearning to hear the Goddess’s divine līlā, affirming that liberation-oriented wisdom (Brahmavidyā) is supported by devotional listening (śravaṇa) to the sacred deeds of Jagadambā within a Shaiva framework.
By seeking Jagadambā’s story, the verse points to Saguna devotion where Shiva and Shakti are honored together—Linga worship is traditionally completed through reverence to the Goddess as Shiva’s inseparable power (śakti), making worship relational and grace-centered.
The implied practice is śravaṇa (devotional listening/recitation) of the Purana as a sādhanā; it can be paired with japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and reverent remembrance of the Divine Mother while studying the narrative.