Shloka 33
Umā-caritra-prārthanā: Ṛṣayaḥ Sūtaṃ Pṛcchanti
Request for the Account of Umā
एतस्मिन्नंतरे तत्र वैश्यः कश्चित्समागतः । राजा पप्रच्छ कस्त्वं भोः किमर्थमिह चागतः
etasminnaṃtare tatra vaiśyaḥ kaścitsamāgataḥ | rājā papraccha kastvaṃ bhoḥ kimarthamiha cāgataḥ
Meanwhile, a certain Vaiśya arrived there. The king asked him, “Who are you, sir, and for what purpose have you come here?”
Suta Goswami (narrating the episode; dialogue spoken by the King)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse highlights dharmic discernment: a ruler (representing responsible worldly power) begins with humble inquiry, creating the right conditions for a Shaiva teaching or sacred narrative to unfold.
Though the Linga is not named here, the Shiva Purana’s storytelling often begins with such encounters; the king’s respectful questioning becomes the doorway through which devotion to Saguna Shiva and Shaiva practices are later introduced.
The implied practice is sat-saṅga and śravaṇa (listening to dharma with humility). As a Shaiva takeaway, approach Shiva-kathā with reverence—often accompanied by japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) even when not explicitly stated in the verse.