Shloka 52

दारुवनलीला—नीललोहितपरीक्षा, ब्रह्मोपदेशः, अतिथिधर्मः, संन्यासक्रमः

Devanagari script

शेषामिवाज्ञामादाय मूर्ध्ना सा प्राचरत्तदा परीक्षितुं तथा श्रद्धां तयोः साक्षाद् द्विजोत्तमाः

Transliteration

śeṣāmivājñāmādāya mūrdhnā sā prācarattadā parīkṣituṃ tathā śraddhāṃ tayoḥ sākṣād dvijottamāḥ

Translation

ಆ ಆಜ್ಞೆಯನ್ನು ಅವಳು ಪ್ರಸಾದಶೇಷದಂತೆ ಶಿರಸ್ಸಿನ ಮೇಲೆ ಧರಿಸಿ ತಕ್ಷಣವೇ ಹಾಗೆ ಆಚರಿಸಿದಳು. ನಂತರ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ ದ್ವಿಜರು ಪ್ರತ್ಯಕ್ಷವಾಗಿ ಬಂದು ಅವರಿಬ್ಬರ ಶ್ರದ್ಧೆಯನ್ನು ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿಸಿದರು.

Word by Word

• śeṣām iva: like the sacred remainder (prasāda)

• ājñām: the command/ordinance

• ādāya: having taken up/accepted

• mūrdhnā: on the head (as a sign of reverence)

• sā: she

• prācarat: acted/performed accordingly

• tadā: then/at that time

• parīkṣitum: in order to test

• tathā: thus/indeed

• śraddhām: faith, reverent trust

• tayoḥ: of the two

• sākṣāt: directly, manifestly

• dvijottamāḥ: the best of the twice-born (excellent Brahmanas).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Dvijottamas (Brahmanas)

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It frames śraddhā and humble acceptance of dharmic instruction as foundational; Linga-pūjā bears fruit when the pashu (soul) softens ego and receives right command as prasāda.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Indirectly, it points to Shiva-tattva as the revealer of inner sincerity: true devotion is tested and made manifest, loosening pāśa (bondage) through disciplined śraddhā rather than mere display.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The practice of mūrdhni-ājñā-dhāraṇa—placing sacred instruction ‘on the head’—signifies surrender and humility, a key inner limb that supports Pāśupata-oriented sādhana and effective pūjā.