Shloka 31
ब्राह्मणीमरणवर्णनम् (Account of the Brahmin Woman’s Death) — within Nandikeśvara-māhātmya
इति हस्ते जलं दत्त्वा यावत्पुत्रो गृहं गतः । तावत्सा च मृता तत्र हरस्मरणतत्परा
iti haste jalaṃ dattvā yāvatputro gṛhaṃ gataḥ | tāvatsā ca mṛtā tatra harasmaraṇatatparā
So legte sie ihm Wasser in die Hand; und während der Sohn noch auf dem Heimweg war, verschied sie dort—ganz versunken im Gedenken an Hara (Herrn Śiva).
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Sthala Purana: Not a specific jyotirliṅga episode; the verse exemplifies Śiva-smaraṇa at death as a salvific practice leading toward Śiva’s grace (anugraha).
Significance: Remembrance of Hara at the time of death is portrayed as spiritually efficacious, aligning the departing soul toward Śiva.
Mantra: hara-smaraṇa (implied, not quoted)
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches that unwavering Shiva-smaraṇa (remembrance of Hara) sanctifies the final moment of life; in Shaiva Siddhanta, such one-pointed bhakti purifies the soul and turns death into an auspicious passage under the Lord’s grace.
Remembering “Hara” here implies holding Saguna Shiva—His compassionate, accessible form—in the heart; Linga-worship and Jyotirlinga pilgrimage are meant to mature into constant inner remembrance beyond the external rite.
Practice daily Shiva-smaraṇa through mantra-japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and mindful remembrance during ordinary duties, so the mind naturally rests in Shiva at critical moments.