Maheśvara is to be heard, glorified and meditated upon.
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Thus Śruti³⁴ is our authority. Resorting solely to this great means, all of you attain the Achievable.
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Regarding visible things people see with their eyes and begin their activity. Concerning the invisible everywhere, they know through the ears and activise themselves.
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Hence Śravaṇa (listening) is the first rite. The intelligent scholar must listen to the oral explanation of the preceptor and then practise the other rites.—Kīrtana (glorifying) and Manana (deliberation).
26—27. When all the means upto Manana are well exercised, Śivayoga (unification with Śiva) results gradually through Sālokya etc. All the ailments of the body are nullified and supreme bliss is realised. Painful indeed is the process but later on everything becomes auspicious from beginning to end.