Shloka 3
भस्म–रुद्राक्ष–शिवनाममाहात्म्य
The Greatness of Bhasma, Rudrākṣa, and the Name of Śiva
सूत उवाच । साधुपृष्टं भवद्भिश्च लोकानां हितकारकम् । भवंतो वै महाधन्याः पवित्राः कुलभूषणाः
sūta uvāca | sādhupṛṣṭaṃ bhavadbhiśca lokānāṃ hitakārakam | bhavaṃto vai mahādhanyāḥ pavitrāḥ kulabhūṣaṇāḥ
Sūta sprach: „Ihr habt vortrefflich gefragt — eine Frage, die den Welten Wohlergehen bringt. Wahrlich, ihr seid hochgesegnet, rein und ein Schmuck eurer edlen Linie.“
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage; it is Sūta’s commendation of the sages’ inquiry as lokahita (world-benefiting), a standard Purāṇic preface to dharma-upadeśa.
Significance: Elevates satpraśna (right questioning) and śravaṇa as purifying acts; in pilgrimage culture, hearing kathā at tīrthas is itself counted as a merit-producing observance.
FAQs
It teaches that sincere, dharma-aligned inquiry in satsanga is itself purifying and becomes lokahita (welfare for all), preparing the mind for Shaiva teachings that lead toward liberation.
Before describing Linga-worship and Saguna Shiva’s grace, the Purana establishes the right approach: humble questioning and pure intent, which makes the listener fit to receive Shiva-tattva and ritual instructions.
The implied practice is śravaṇa (devotional listening) and satpraśna (right questioning) in a sacred assembly—foundational disciplines that support mantra-japa and later observances like bhasma and rudrākṣa.