Shloka 38
Sūtasya Punargamanaṃ Kāśyāṃ—Bhasma-Rudrākṣa-Tripuṇḍra-Vidhiśca
Sūta’s Return to Kāśī and the Observances of Bhasma, Rudrākṣa, and Tripuṇḍra
द्विषड्वारं गुरोराज्ञां विज्ञाय शिवयोरथ । क्षेत्रान्निर्गत्य तरसा चत्वारिंशद्दिनान्तरे
dviṣaḍvāraṃ gurorājñāṃ vijñāya śivayoratha | kṣetrānnirgatya tarasā catvāriṃśaddināntare
Daraufhin, nachdem sie den Befehl des Guru verstanden hatten, verließen sie jenes heilige Kṣetra in großer Eile. Innerhalb von vierzig Tagen erreichten sie ihr Ziel in der Angelegenheit, die Śiva und seinen göttlichen Willen betraf.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Significance: Departure from a kṣetra under guru-ājñā highlights that pilgrimage is subordinated to obedience and disciplined movement; the ‘kṣetra’ functions as a grace-field, but the seeker must proceed as instructed.
FAQs
It highlights guru-ājñā (the guru’s command) as a binding spiritual principle: disciplined obedience and prompt action remove delay in dharma and accelerate one’s movement toward Śiva’s grace.
Departing a kṣetra under the guru’s direction reflects regulated devotion (niyama-bhakti): even sacred-space worship is completed and redirected according to proper guidance, keeping devotion aligned to Saguna Śiva’s ordained path.
The implied takeaway is niyama and saṅkalpa: follow the guru’s prescribed vrata or pilgrimage discipline with steadiness; maintain Śiva-smaraṇa (remembrance of Śiva) during travel through japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) if one’s tradition permits.