गोत्र-प्रवर-प्रश्नः तथा तिथ्यादि-कीर्तनं
Gotra–Pravara Inquiry and Proclamation of Auspicious Time
नारद उवाच । त्वं हि मूढत्वमापन्नो न जानासि च किञ्चन । वाच्ये महेशविषयेऽतीवासि त्वं बहिर्मुखः
nārada uvāca | tvaṃ hi mūḍhatvamāpanno na jānāsi ca kiñcana | vācye maheśaviṣaye'tīvāsi tvaṃ bahirmukhaḥ
نارد نے کہا: “تم یقیناً فریبِ وہم میں پڑ گئے ہو اور کچھ بھی نہیں جانتے۔ مہیش کے بارے میں جو بات کہنے کے لائق ہے، اُس میں تم حد درجہ ظاہر پرست ہو۔”
Nārada
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Type: stotra
Role: teaching
It warns that mere external orientation and ignorance (bahirmukhatva) obstruct true knowledge of Maheśa; Shaiva Siddhānta emphasizes turning inward with devotion and right understanding to approach Śiva as Pati (the Lord) who grants liberation.
Linga and Saguna worship are meant to lead the mind inward toward Śiva’s reality; this verse critiques a mindset that stays only at the outer level—ritual, speech, or argument—without inner reverence and comprehension of Śiva’s greatness.
Adopt an inward-facing practice: japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with devotion, along with simple Śiva-upāsanā such as vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and mindful worship, so that speech about Śiva arises from inner clarity rather than delusion.