Pratyakṣa–Āgama–Ācāra: Doubt, Proof, and the Practice of Dharma (प्रत्यक्ष–आगम–आचारविचारः)
एतन्मे संशयं देव तपश्चर्या55श्रितं शुभम् । शंस सर्वमशेषेण त्र्यक्ष त्रिपुरनाशन
etan me saṁśayaṁ deva tapaś-caryāśritaṁ śubham | śaṁsa sarvam aśeṣeṇa tryakṣa tripuranāśana ||
हे देव! तपश्चर्या पर आश्रित शुभ फल के विषय में मेरे मन में यह संदेह उत्पन्न हुआ है। हे त्रिलोचन, त्रिपुरनाशन! आप इसे पूर्ण रूप से, कुछ भी छोड़े बिना, मुझे बताइए।
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
The verse models dharmic inquiry: when uncertain about the fruits and proper understanding of ascetic discipline (tapas-caryā), one should approach the divine/teacher with humility and request a complete, unwithheld explanation.
The speaker addresses Śiva by his epithets (Tryakṣa, Tripuranāśana) and asks him to resolve a specific doubt about the auspicious results that arise from ascetic practice, requesting a full and exhaustive answer.