Shloka 70

दारुवनलीला—नीललोहितपरीक्षा, ब्रह्मोपदेशः, अतिथिधर्मः, संन्यासक्रमः

Devanagari script

पितामह उवाच आदौ वेदानधीत्यैव श्रद्धया च गुरोः सदा विचार्यार्थं मुनेर्धर्मान् प्रतिज्ञाय द्विजोत्तमाः

Transliteration

pitāmaha uvāca ādau vedānadhītyaiva śraddhayā ca guroḥ sadā vicāryārthaṃ munerdharmān pratijñāya dvijottamāḥ

Translation

पितामह उवाच—आदौ श्रद्धया वेदानधीत्य, गुरौ सदा भक्त्या; विचारार्थं मुनेर्धर्मान् प्रतिज्ञाय द्विजोत्तमाः प्रवर्तेरन्।

Word by Word

• पितामहः: Pitāmaha (Brahmā)

• उवाच: said

• आदौ: in the beginning/first

• वेदान्: the Vedas

• अधीत्य: having studied

• एव: indeed

• श्रद्धया: with faith

• च: and

• गुरोः: of the guru

• सदा: always

• विचारार्थम्: for the purpose of inquiry/discernment

• मुनेः: of the sage

• धर्मान्: dharmic disciplines/duties

• प्रतिज्ञाय: having vowed/undertaken

• द्विजोत्तमाः: the best among the twice-born (brāhmaṇa sages)

Speaker

Brahma (Pitamaha)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Vedas
• Guru
• Muni (Sage)

FAQs

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

It establishes that Linga-upāsanā should rest on śraddhā, Vedic study, and guru-guided discipline—so worship becomes a conscious path of vicāra (discernment) rather than mere ritual.

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

By emphasizing vicāra and dharma undertaken under a guru, it implies that realizing Pati (the Lord, Śiva) requires purification of the pashu (soul) from pāśa (bondage) through right knowledge and disciplined conduct.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights preparatory sādhana: Veda-adhyayana, guru-sevā, and taking vows (pratijñā) to follow a muni’s dharma—foundational to Pāśupata-style discipline before deeper Śaiva worship.