Shloka 14

स्नानविधिः — गायत्र्यावाहन, सूर्यवन्दन, तर्पण, पञ्चमहायज्ञ, भस्मस्नान, मन्त्रस्नान

Devanagari script

पितॄंस्तु तर्पयेद् विद्वान् दक्षिणाङ्गुष्ठकेन तु तथैवं मुनिशार्दूल ब्रह्मयज्ञं यजेद् द्विजः

Transliteration

pitṝṃstu tarpayed vidvān dakṣiṇāṅguṣṭhakena tu tathaivaṃ muniśārdūla brahmayajñaṃ yajed dvijaḥ

Translation

The learned should offer tarpaṇa to the Pitṛs with the right thumb. In the same way, O tiger among sages, the twice-born should perform the Brahma-yajña, upholding sacred knowledge as an offering aligned with Pati, the Lord who releases the bound paśu from the fetters of pāśa.

Word by Word

• पितॄन् (pitṝn): the ancestors, Pitṛs

• तु (tu): indeed/and

• तर्पयेत् (tarpayet): should satisfy/offer libations

• विद्वान् (vidvān): a learned person

• दक्षिण-अङ्गुष्ठकेन (dakṣiṇa-aṅguṣṭhakena): with the right thumb

• तु (tu): indeed

• तथा एवम् (tathā evaṃ): thus, in the same way

• मुनि-शार्दूल (muni-śārdūla): O best of sages (lit. tiger among sages)

• ब्रह्म-यज्ञम् (brahma-yajñam): the sacrifice/offering to Brahman—study/recitation of Veda and sacred teaching

• यजेत् (yajet): should perform/worship

• द्विजः (dvijaḥ): the twice-born (initiated person).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Pitrs
• Brahman

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It situates Linga-oriented devotion within orthodox nitya-karma: honoring Pitṛs (tarpana) and sustaining sacred knowledge (brahma-yajña) as purifying acts that prepare the devotee for Shiva-puja and inner steadiness.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Though not naming Shiva directly, the verse supports a Shaiva Siddhanta view that disciplined ritual and Vedic transmission refine the paśu and weaken pāśa, making the soul fit for the grace of Pati (Shiva), the ultimate liberator.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritual practice: Pitṛ-tarpana using the right thumb and the performance of brahma-yajña (Vedic study/recitation as sacrifice). Yogically, it implies purification (śuddhi) and steadiness as prerequisites for higher Shaiva sādhanā.