Shloka 35
Sūtasya Punargamanaṃ Kāśyāṃ—Bhasma-Rudrākṣa-Tripuṇḍra-Vidhiśca
Sūta’s Return to Kāśī and the Observances of Bhasma, Rudrākṣa, and Tripuṇḍra
सूतपुत्र महाभाग गच्छ वाराणसीम्पुरीम् । तत्रासन्मुनयः पूर्वमुपदिष्टास्त्वयाऽधुना
sūtaputra mahābhāga gaccha vārāṇasīmpurīm | tatrāsanmunayaḥ pūrvamupadiṣṭāstvayā'dhunā
O noble son of Sūta, go to the city of Vārāṇasī. There the sages who were formerly instructed by you are now residing.
An instructing sage/authority figure addressing Sūta’s son (Sūtaputra)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Kāśī is proclaimed Śiva’s eternal kṣetra where liberation is granted; the command to go to Vārāṇasī aligns with the Purāṇic motif that hearing/teaching Śiva-kathā in Kāśī and remembrance of Viśveśvara leads toward mokṣa.
Significance: Śiva-kṣetra par excellence; darśana of Viśvanātha and śravaṇa of Śiva-kathā are held to confer pāpa-kṣaya and support liberation (especially at death).
Shakti Form: Annapūrṇā
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It highlights the Shaiva idea that sacred places like Vārāṇasī and the company of realized sages (satsanga) support right instruction (upadeśa) and spiritual progress toward Shiva’s grace.
Vārāṇasī (Kāśī) is traditionally revered as Shiva’s sacred domain; going there implies approaching Saguna Shiva through tīrtha, temple worship, and guidance from learned devotees who preserve correct Shaiva practice.
The practical takeaway is to seek authentic instruction from sages and practice Shiva-upāsanā in a sacred setting—commonly including japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and disciplined pilgrimage conduct.