संध्याचरित्रवर्णनम् (Sandhyā-caritra-varṇana) — “Account of Sandhyā’s Story”
अथ तत्र गतां ज्ञात्वा संध्यां गिरिवरं प्रति । तपसे नियतात्मानं ब्रह्मावोचमहं सुतम्
atha tatra gatāṃ jñātvā saṃdhyāṃ girivaraṃ prati | tapase niyatātmānaṃ brahmāvocamahaṃ sutam
ครั้นพระพรหมทรงทราบว่าสันธยาได้ไปยังภูเขาอันประเสริฐนั้น ด้วยจิตที่สำรวมมุ่งสู่ตบะแล้ว พระองค์จึงตรัสแก่เรา ผู้เป็นบุตรของพระองค์
Brahmā (speaking to his son, likely Nārada, within the Rudrasaṃhitā narration)
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Brahmā’s awareness and response frames a guru-śiṣya transmission that prepares an aspirant for tapas; it is not tied to a Jyotirliṅga foundation.
Significance: Highlights the Purāṇic model: divine oversight leads to proper guidance; merit comes from tapas undertaken under injunction and right instruction.
Role: teaching
The verse highlights niyama (inner restraint) and tapas (austerity) as purifying disciplines that prepare the seeker for divine guidance—ultimately aligning the soul (paśu) toward the Lord (Pati) through self-mastery.
Although the Liṅga is not named here, the narrative frames a key Shaiva principle: disciplined tapas and directed intention lead to right instruction about Shiva’s worship and grace—often culminating in Saguna devotion that matures toward deeper realization.
The implied practice is tapas with a restrained mind—practically expressed as japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī), vrata-like self-discipline, and focused meditation; these are commonly paired in Shaiva observance with purity practices such as bhasma and rudrākṣa when taught in context.