Shloka 31
ब्राह्मणीमरणवर्णनम् (Account of the Brahmin Woman’s Death) — within Nandikeśvara-māhātmya
इति हस्ते जलं दत्त्वा यावत्पुत्रो गृहं गतः । तावत्सा च मृता तत्र हरस्मरणतत्परा
iti haste jalaṃ dattvā yāvatputro gṛhaṃ gataḥ | tāvatsā ca mṛtā tatra harasmaraṇatatparā
Thus, after placing water into his hand, and while the son was still on his way home, she passed away there—wholly intent on the remembrance of Hara (Lord Śiva).
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Sthala Purana: Not a specific jyotirliṅga episode; the verse exemplifies Śiva-smaraṇa at death as a salvific practice leading toward Śiva’s grace (anugraha).
Significance: Remembrance of Hara at the time of death is portrayed as spiritually efficacious, aligning the departing soul toward Śiva.
Mantra: hara-smaraṇa (implied, not quoted)
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches that unwavering Shiva-smaraṇa (remembrance of Hara) sanctifies the final moment of life; in Shaiva Siddhanta, such one-pointed bhakti purifies the soul and turns death into an auspicious passage under the Lord’s grace.
Remembering “Hara” here implies holding Saguna Shiva—His compassionate, accessible form—in the heart; Linga-worship and Jyotirlinga pilgrimage are meant to mature into constant inner remembrance beyond the external rite.
Practice daily Shiva-smaraṇa through mantra-japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and mindful remembrance during ordinary duties, so the mind naturally rests in Shiva at critical moments.