Shloka 28
एकोनविंशतिशिवावतारवर्णनम्
Description of the Nineteen Manifestations/Avatāras of Śiva
एकविंशे युगे तस्मिन् व्यासो वाचःश्रवा यदा । तदाहं दारुको नाम तस्माद्दारुवनं शुभम्
ekaviṃśe yuge tasmin vyāso vācaḥśravā yadā | tadāhaṃ dāruko nāma tasmāddāruvanaṃ śubham
Sa ikadalawampu’t isang yuga, nang ang pantas na Vyāsa ay tinawag na Vācaḥśravā, ako’y nagngangalang Dāruka. Mula sa pangalang iyon sumibol ang mapalad na gubat na tinatawag na Dāruvana.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Purāṇic account to the sages)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhikṣāṭana
Sthala Purana: Dāruvana (Dārukāvana) is the famed ‘forest of deodars/trees’ where Śiva appears in a concealed/antinomian guise (often as a naked mendicant) to humble ritual-proud sages and reveal the supremacy of Śiva beyond mere karma-kāṇḍa.
Significance: Represents the tirtha-idea that pride in ritual without devotion is bondage; pilgrimage/śravaṇa here yields humility and Śiva-jñāna.
Cosmic Event: yuga-cycle enumeration (21st yuga)
FAQs
The verse links sacred geography to karmic and cosmic cycles, showing that holy places like Dāruvana arise through divine arrangement across yugas, preparing a setting where Shiva’s grace and instruction can manifest for the upliftment of beings.
By establishing Dāruvana’s origin, the text frames the locale where Saguna Shiva’s līlā and instruction are encountered; such sacred settings traditionally become centers for Linga-worship, where devotees approach Shiva through form while being led toward the highest truth.
The practical takeaway is tīrtha-smaraṇa (reverent remembrance of sacred places) combined with Shaiva devotion—japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and disciplined worship—especially when contemplating Shiva’s presence in consecrated landscapes.