Shloka 21
ब्राह्मणीमरणवर्णनम् (Account of the Brahmin Woman’s Death) — within Nandikeśvara-māhātmya
स्वीयं च रक्षितं किंचिद्धनं मरणहेतवे । ततश्च द्विजपत्नी हि कियत्कालं मृता च सा
svīyaṃ ca rakṣitaṃ kiṃciddhanaṃ maraṇahetave | tataśca dvijapatnī hi kiyatkālaṃ mṛtā ca sā
And she kept back a little of her own wealth for the sake of death (as a reserve meant for her final rites). After that, the brāhmaṇa’s wife indeed remained dead for some time.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It highlights human mortality and the inevitability of death, urging dharmic preparedness and detachment—themes that, in Shaiva thought, mature the soul (paśu) toward reliance on Pati (Shiva) rather than on possessions.
Within Kotirudra’s Jyotirlinga setting, the narrative backdrop reminds devotees that worldly supports fail at death, whereas refuge in Saguna Shiva through Jyotirlinga worship and remembrance is upheld as spiritually protective and liberating.
The verse indirectly encourages death-awareness and dharmic readiness; a Shaiva takeaway is steady japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and regular Shiva-puja so that one’s mind rests in Shiva when confronted with impermanence.