Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
अम्बोवाच दुर्विज्ञेयो महादेवो दुराधारो दुरन्तक: । दुराबाधश्र दुर्ग्राह्मो दुर्दुश्यो हकृतात्मभि:
ambovāca durvijñeyo mahādevo durādhāro durantakaḥ | durābādhaś ca durgrāhyo durdarśyo hy akṛtātmabhiḥ ||
Sinabi ni Amba: “Ang Mahādeva ay lubhang mahirap maunawaan. Mahirap siyang ipirmi sa isipan, at ang pag-abot sa kanya’y napapaligiran ng mabibigat na hadlang. Para sa mga hindi pa nagagapi ang sarili, siya’y mahirap lapitan, mahirap hawakan, at maging mahirap masilayan.”
वासुदेव उवाच
Knowledge and realization of Mahādeva are not merely intellectual; they require inner discipline. Without self-mastery (control of mind and senses), the divine remains difficult to comprehend, approach, and directly experience.
Amba is speaking about the nature of Mahādeva (Śiva), emphasizing his transcendence and the practical difficulty of attaining him, especially for those lacking self-control. The statement frames devotion and austerity as demanding inner qualification.