Shloka 33
एतस्मिन्नंतरे तत्र वैश्यः कश्चित्समागतः । राजा पप्रच्छ कस्त्वं भोः किमर्थमिह चागतः
etasminnaṃtare tatra vaiśyaḥ kaścitsamāgataḥ | rājā papraccha kastvaṃ bhoḥ kimarthamiha cāgataḥ
Sementara itu, seorang Vaiśya datang ke sana. Sang raja bertanya, “Tuan, siapakah engkau, dan untuk tujuan apa engkau datang ke sini?”
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.