दारुवनलीला—नीललोहितपरीक्षा, ब्रह्मोपदेशः, अतिथिधर्मः, संन्यासक्रमः
गृहस्थो ऽपि पुरा जेतुं सुदर्शन इति श्रुतः प्रतिज्ञामकरोज्जायां भार्यामाह पतिव्रताम्
gṛhastho 'pi purā jetuṃ sudarśana iti śrutaḥ pratijñāmakarojjāyāṃ bhāryāmāha pativratām
往昔虽为居家者,名闻于世的苏达尔舍那仍立志要战胜眼前的考验。他立下庄严誓愿,遂对其守夫之德的妻子(pativratā)言明自己的心愿。
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)
It frames Shiva-oriented sādhanā as accessible even to a gṛhastha: firm pratijñā (vow) and disciplined conduct become the foundation for later acts of Shiva-pūjā and inner purification.
Indirectly, it points to Shiva-tattva as the supreme Pati approached through resolve and dharma: the pashu (individual soul) begins loosening pasha (bondage) by taking a sacred vow aligned with devotion and duty.
Vrata (solemn vow) and dharmic self-restraint are highlighted—key preparatory disciplines that support Pashupata-oriented practice and make the mind fit for Shiva-upāsanā.