Shloka 36
दक्षस्य प्रजावृद्ध्युपायः — Dakṣa’s Means for Increasing Progeny
ऋणानि त्रीण्यपाकृत्य यो गृहात्प्रव्रजेत्पुमान् । मातरं पितरं त्यक्त्वा मोक्षमिच्छन्व्रजत्यधः
ṛṇāni trīṇyapākṛtya yo gṛhātpravrajetpumān | mātaraṃ pitaraṃ tyaktvā mokṣamicchanvrajatyadhaḥ
A man who abandons the householder’s path without first discharging the three sacred debts, and who forsakes his mother and father—though claiming to seek moksha—falls downward into spiritual demerit.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva Purana teachings to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Sthala Purana: Not tied to a Jyotirliṅga; it is a dharma-criterion for valid pravrajyā: renunciation without settling ṛṇa-traya and without care for parents is portrayed as a fall, not mokṣa.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that moksha is not gained by mere external renunciation; true Shaiva dharma requires integrity—fulfilling sacred obligations (ṛṇa-traya) and practicing responsibility and compassion. Neglecting rightful duties while claiming liberation becomes a cause of spiritual downfall.
In the Shiva Purana’s Saguna framework, devotion to Shiva is inseparable from dharma. Linga worship, japa, and vrata bear fruit when supported by right conduct—especially honoring parents and completing one’s ordained responsibilities—rather than using “renunciation” as an escape.
The verse implies disciplined dharma-first sādhanā: perform daily Shiva-upāsanā (Pañcākṣarī japa—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), along with service to parents and household duties, before adopting higher renunciant practices.