मङ्गलपत्रिकाग्रहणम् — Reception of the Auspicious Marriage Invitation
मार्कण्डेयश्शिलापाकोऽरुणपालोऽकृतश्रमः । अगस्त्यश्च्यवनो गर्गश्शिलादोऽथ महामुने
mārkaṇḍeyaśśilāpāko'ruṇapālo'kṛtaśramaḥ | agastyaścyavano gargaśśilādo'tha mahāmune
Wahai maharsi, hadir pula Mārkaṇḍeya, Śilāpāka, Aruṇapāla, Akṛtaśrama; juga Agastya, Cyavana, Garga, dan Śilāda.
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pashu
It establishes the authority of the narration by invoking a lineage of revered ṛṣis, implying that Śiva’s glory is affirmed by realized seers and is therefore spiritually trustworthy for seekers of liberation.
By naming eminent sages known in Śaiva memory, the text frames the coming account as part of the living tradition of Saguna Śiva worship—where Śiva is approached through sacred forms, stories, and disciplined devotion.
The practical takeaway is to follow the ṛṣi-path: regular japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), Śiva-smaraṇa (remembrance), and disciplined observances (vrata) as taught in Purāṇic Śaiva tradition.