सूत उवाच । परिहासरसेनेत्थं शासितः स्वामिनाऽमुना । स चंडकाख्यः शबरो मूर्ध्ना जग्राह तद्वचः
sūta uvāca | parihāsarasenetthaṃ śāsitaḥ svāminā'munā | sa caṃḍakākhyaḥ śabaro mūrdhnā jagrāha tadvacaḥ
Sūta bersabda: Demikian, setelah dinasihati tuannya dalam suasana senda-gurau, Śabara bernama Caṇḍaka menerima sabda itu dengan menaruhnya di atas kepala, sebagai tanda hormat tertinggi.
Sūta (Lomaharṣaṇa/Sūta narrator)
Listener: Śaunaka and the Naimiṣāraṇya ṛṣis (frame implied)
Scene: A tribal Śabara (Caṇḍaka) stands with folded hands, head bowed, receiving his master’s playful yet authoritative instruction; the gesture of ‘placing words on the head’ is shown by touching the crown with joined palms.
True receptivity to instruction—honoring the teacher’s guidance wholeheartedly—becomes the foundation of devotional practice.
No specific sacred site is mentioned; the verse introduces a devotional narrative within the chapter.
No direct ritual is prescribed here; it describes the devotee’s reverent acceptance of instructions.