Shloka 17

नैमिषारण्ये सूतागमनम् — लिङ्गमाहात्म्यभूमिका तथा शब्दब्रह्म-ओङ्कार-लिङ्गतत्त्वम्

Devanagari script

अभिवाद्याग्रतो धीमान् नारदं ब्रह्मणः सुतम् नैमिषेयांश्च पुण्यात्मा पुराणं व्याजहार सः

Transliteration

abhivādyāgrato dhīmān nāradaṃ brahmaṇaḥ sutam naimiṣeyāṃśca puṇyātmā purāṇaṃ vyājahāra saḥ

Translation

ముందున్న బ్రహ్మపుత్రుడైన ధీమంతుడు నారదునికి, అలాగే నైమిషారణ్యంలోని పుణ్య ఋషులకు నమస్కరించి ఆ పుణ్యాత్ముడు పురాణాన్ని వివరించెను।

Word by Word

• अभिवाद्य (abhivādya): having saluted, paying reverence

• अग्रतः (agrataḥ): in front, in the assembly

• धीमान् (dhīmān): wise, discerning

• नारदम् (nāradaṃ): Nārada

• ब्रह्मणः सुतम् (brahmaṇaḥ sutaṃ): the son of Brahmā

• नैमिषेयांश्च (naimiṣeyāṃś ca): and the Naimiṣeya sages (sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

• पुण्यात्मा (puṇyātmā): pure-souled, virtuous

• पुराणम् (purāṇam): the Purāṇa (ancient sacred narrative)

• व्याजहार (vyājahāra): spoke, narrated, proclaimed

• सः (saḥ): he

Speaker

Suta (Suta Goswami)

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Brahma
• Naimisharanya Sages

FAQs

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

It establishes the sacred transmission line: the Purāṇa (which later teaches Liṅga-tattva and Liṅga-pūjā) is delivered only after reverence to the guru-sage Nārada and the Naimiṣāraṇya ṛṣis, emphasizing purity, authority, and proper ritual-ethical context for worship.

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

Indirectly, it frames Shiva-tattva as knowable through śāstra and sampradāya: the Pati (Lord) is approached through authorized narration, where the Purāṇa becomes a means for the Pashu (soul) to move from pāśa (bondage) toward right knowledge and devotion.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Guru-vandana and śravaṇa (reverent listening) are highlighted—foundational disciplines that precede Pāśupata-oriented practice and later Liṅga-pūjā instructions in the text.