Shloka 27
Devīkṛta-praśna-varṇana (Description of the Goddess’s Questions) / देवीकृतप्रश्नवर्णनम्
उपास्यं वस्तु किंरूपं किं वा फलमुपासितुः । अनुष्ठान विधिः कोवा पूजास्थानं च किं प्रभो
upāsyaṃ vastu kiṃrūpaṃ kiṃ vā phalamupāsituḥ | anuṣṭhāna vidhiḥ kovā pūjāsthānaṃ ca kiṃ prabho
ഹേ പ്രഭോ, ഉപാസിക്കേണ്ട തത്ത്വത്തിന്റെ സ്വരൂപം എന്ത്? ഉപാസകനു ലഭിക്കുന്ന ഫലം എന്ത്? അനുഷ്ഠാനവിധി ഏത്, പൂജയ്ക്കു യോജ്യമായ സ്ഥലം ഏത്?
Parvati
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Frames the universal eligibility for Śiva-upāsanā: right understanding of the upāsya (Pati) and right method leads toward pāśa-kṣaya and Śiva-anugraha.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: teaching
FAQs
It frames the core Shaiva inquiry: who (Pati/Śiva) is truly to be worshipped, what inner and outer discipline qualifies worship (anuṣṭhāna-vidhi), and what the worship ultimately yields—purification, grace (anugraha), and liberation.
By asking the 'form' of the worship-worthy Reality, the verse opens the teaching that the Supreme can be approached through Saguna supports such as the Śiva-liṅga and mantra, while the goal is realization of Śiva as the highest principle beyond limitation.
It points to regulated upāsanā: a prescribed observance (anuṣṭhāna) with correct method and place—typically including mantra-japa (often Pañcākṣarī), purity disciplines, and Śiva-pūjā in a consecrated space or shrine.