Shloka 23
पार्वतीवाक्यं—शिवस्य परब्रह्मत्व-निरूपणम्
Pārvatī’s Discourse: Establishing Śiva as Parabrahman
अगुणं ब्रह्मणो रूपं शिवस्य परमात्मनः । तत्कथं हि विजानन्ति त्वादृशास्तद्बहिर्मुखाः
aguṇaṃ brahmaṇo rūpaṃ śivasya paramātmanaḥ | tatkathaṃ hi vijānanti tvādṛśāstadbahirmukhāḥ
अगुणं ब्रह्मणो रूपं शिवस्य परमात्मनः। तत्कथं हि विजानन्ति त्वादृशास्तद्बहिर्मुखाः॥
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Centers the need for inward-turning (antarmukhatā) for knowing nirguṇa Śiva; supports the Siddhānta emphasis that true knowledge arises through Śiva’s grace and right orientation, not mere externality.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva’s highest reality is nirguṇa (beyond the three guṇas), and that true knowledge of Him arises through inward realization rather than external, sense-bound outlook.
While Śiva is ultimately nirguṇa Brahman, devotees approach Him through saguna supports like the Śiva-liṅga; sincere worship purifies the mind so one can recognize the nirguṇa truth the liṅga signifies.
Turn inward through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with focused meditation; such practice shifts attention from outward distractions toward direct awareness of Śiva as the indwelling Paramātman.