Shloka 70
दृष्ट्वा तच्च तदा तत्र पृष्टा राज्ञा च पण्डिताः । भुञ्जते ब्राह्मणा ह्यत्र नोत्थितो वै ध्वजस्त्विति
dṛṣṭvā tacca tadā tatra pṛṣṭā rājñā ca paṇḍitāḥ | bhuñjate brāhmaṇā hyatra notthito vai dhvajastviti
Seeing that situation there, the king then questioned the learned men. They replied, “The brāhmaṇas are indeed eating here, but the ceremonial flag has not been raised.”
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: The king consults paṇḍitas about the fallen/uncertain dhvaja; despite brāhmaṇas being properly fed, the ritual emblem is ‘not raised’, indicating a non-obvious cause—Śiva’s concealed will prompting investigation.
Significance: Models dharma: rulers and devotees should consult śāstra-knowers and not jump to blame; the path from confusion to clarity is part of pilgrimage pedagogy.
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
The verse highlights that dharma is not only intention but also proper observance: sacred acts like feeding brāhmaṇas should be accompanied by the prescribed signs and procedures, reflecting reverence and order in Shiva’s worship.
In Saguna Shiva worship, external rites support inner devotion. The raised dhvaja functions as a public ritual signal that the worship and festival observances for Shiva (often connected with Jyotirlinga traditions in the Koṭirudrasaṃhitā) are formally underway and properly established.
It suggests careful completion of pūjā-vidhi—ensuring the proper ceremonial setup (such as dhvaja-ārohaṇa where applicable) alongside acts like annadāna; inwardly, maintain Shiva-bhakti with remembrance of the Panchakshara mantra, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya.”