Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
दिव्यं वैयाच्रपद्यस्य उपमन्योर्महात्मन: । पूजितं देवगन्धर्वै््राह्म्या लक्ष्म्यमा समावृतम्
divyaṃ vaiyāghrapadyasya upamanyor mahātmanaḥ | pūjitaṃ devagandharvair brāhmyā lakṣmyā samāvṛtam ||
Sinabi ni Vāsudeva: “May isang kahanga-hangang ashram na pag-aari ni Upamanyu na dakila ang loob, mula sa angkan ni Vyāghrapad. Nababalot iyon ng ningning ng kabanalang Brahmaniko, at pinararangalan ng mga diyos at ng mga Gandharva.”
वासुदेव उवाच
The verse highlights the ethical ideal that true spiritual stature is recognized through sacred conduct and purity: a righteous ascetic’s dwelling becomes ‘divine’ not by wealth or power, but by Brahmanical radiance (brāhmī lakṣmī) and the reverence it naturally commands—even from celestial beings.
Vāsudeva describes the extraordinary hermitage of the sage Upamanyu, emphasizing its sanctity and fame: it is suffused with auspicious spiritual splendor and is honored by gods and Gandharvas, setting the scene for a discourse connected with dharma and revered sages.