Shloka 25
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
वैशम्पायन उवाच एवमुक्त्वा तु भगवान् गुणांस्तस्य महात्मन: । उपस्पृश्य शुचिर्भूत्वा कथयामास धीमत:
vaiśampāyana uvāca evam uktvā tu bhagavān guṇāṁs tasya mahātmanaḥ | upaspṛśya śucir bhūtvā kathayāmāsa dhīmataḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Pagkasabi nang gayon, inilarawan ng Mapalad na Panginoon ang mga kagalingan ng dakilang kaluluwang iyon. Matapos isagawa ang ācamana at maging dalisay ayon sa ritwal, sinimulan niyang isalaysay—nang may karunungan at malinaw na paghatol—ang mga kadakilaan ng Kataas-taasang Panginoong Śiva, na nagtatakda ng mapitagang at disiplinadong himig para sa papuring susunod.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Before engaging in sacred speech—especially praise of a deity—one should adopt inner and outer discipline. The verse highlights ritual and ethical preparedness (purity, restraint, reverence) as a fitting foundation for truthful and elevating discourse.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration, after concluding a prior statement, the Blessed Lord performs ācamana to become ritually pure and then begins describing the virtues of the great-souled Śiva, introducing a formal hymn-like section.