Adhyaya 109

Śiva introduces a sin-destroying kathā: Ikṣvāku, a learned yet pleasure-seeking brāhmaṇa, neglects sacrifice, charity, Vedic teaching, and the study of the Purāṇas. After death he is brought before Yama’s judgment, warned of long hellish suffering, and granted a brief return to his body to undertake remedial dharma. Seeking refuge, Ikṣvāku approaches the Śiva-devotee sage Jābāli. The sage explains that a short human lifespan hinders prolonged disciplines; therefore the most potent remedy is worship of the Śiva-liṅga, daily hearing of the Purāṇa, and wearing vibhūti, the sacred ash. The narrative then shifts to Mandara’s divine city and Śiva’s yogic court in allegory, with yama-niyama, prāṇāyāma, dhyāna, and samādhi portrayed as attendants. After eight days of worship, Ikṣvāku dies offering his prāṇas to Śiva. Śaiva messengers dispute with Yama’s agents and prevail; Śiva grants the promised fruits, yet leaves a bodily mark recalling an earlier blasphemy against the liṅga. The chapter concludes by praising the merit gained from hearing and reciting this adhyāya.