Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 94
Dharmānukathana
Narration of Dharma
कुलसप्ततिसंयुक्तो रुद्रे ण सह मोदते । शिवलिङ्गाङ्कितं कृत्वा महिषं यः समुत्सृजेत् ॥ ९४ ॥
kulasaptatisaṃyukto rudre ṇa saha modate | śivaliṅgāṅkitaṃ kṛtvā mahiṣaṃ yaḥ samutsṛjet || 94 ||
One who releases a buffalo after marking it with the emblem of Śiva’s liṅga rejoices together with Rudra, accompanied by seventy generations of his lineage.
Narada (teaching in a dharma/vrata context; traditionally framed within Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It teaches that a Shaiva act of religious release (utsarga)—setting a buffalo free after marking it with the Śiva-liṅga sign—yields expansive merit, benefiting not only the doer but also many generations of the family, and grants closeness to Rudra.
Bhakti here is expressed through a tangible offering dedicated to Rudra: the act is performed as an outward sign of inner devotion, and the fruit is described as communion and joy “with Rudra,” emphasizing relational devotion rather than mere material gain.
Ritual procedure (kalpa/ācāra) is implied: the verse specifies a visible ritual mark (aṅkana) and the act of utsarga (religious release), showing how intention is formalized through prescribed signs and actions in dharma practice.