Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 18
योगाचार्यरूपेण शर्वावताराः (Śarva’s manifestations as Yoga-Teachers)
प्लक्षो दार्भायणिश्चैव केतुमान्गौतमस्तथा । भल्लवी मधुपिंगश्च श्वेतकेतुस्तथैव च
plakṣo dārbhāyaṇiścaiva ketumāngautamastathā | bhallavī madhupiṃgaśca śvetaketustathaiva ca
پلکش، داربھایَنی، کیتُمان اور گوتَم؛ نیز بھلّوی، مدھوپِنگ اور شویتکیتُو—یہ بھی یہاں معزز رِشیوں میں شمار ہیں۔
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
By listing revered rishis, the text affirms the authority of the Shaiva teaching as received through a pure lineage (paramparā), emphasizing that liberation-oriented knowledge is preserved and transmitted by realized sages.
The verse supports Saguna Shiva worship indirectly by grounding Shaiva practices—such as Linga devotion, mantra, and vows—in the testimony of rishis who uphold and transmit Shiva’s dharma within the Purana’s tradition.
The practical takeaway is satsanga and guru-smaraṇa: study Shaiva scripture in a lineage spirit, chant the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and approach Linga worship with humility toward the rishi tradition.