Shloka 16
गृहस्थ-जीवनसंस्काराः तथा पुत्रजन्म-शुभलक्षणवर्णनम् / Household Saṃskāras and the Auspicious Portents of a Son’s Birth
आपस्तम्बो याज्ञवल्क्यो दक्षवाल्मीकिमुद्गलाः । शातातपश्च लिखितश्शिलादः शंख उञ्छभुक्
āpastambo yājñavalkyo dakṣavālmīkimudgalāḥ | śātātapaśca likhitaśśilādaḥ śaṃkha uñchabhuk
Āpastamba, Yājñavalkya, Dakṣa, Vālmīki, Mudgala, Śātātapa, Likhita, Śilāda, Śaṅkha, and Uñchabhuk—these revered sages too are remembered here as authorities; their disciplines and teachings uphold the path of dharma and the devotional understanding of Lord Śiva’s many forms.
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga legend; the inclusion of dharma-śāstra authorities (Āpastamba, Yājñavalkya, Śātātapa, Likhita) frames Śiva-bhakti as consonant with dharma and right conduct.
Significance: General: supports the Siddhāntic view that śiva-jñāna and śiva-bhakti mature through śuddha-ācāra; remembering such authorities is a reminder of disciplined living as a preparatory limb for grace (anugraha).
FAQs
This verse invokes a lineage of revered rishis as witnesses and authorities, implying that devotion to Śiva and the life of dharma are upheld by the realized seers; their disciplined living supports a seeker’s purification and readiness for Śiva-bhakti and grace.
By naming dharma-teaching sages, the text frames Saguna Śiva worship (including Liṅga-pūjā) as grounded in śāstra and right conduct—purity, restraint, and devotion—so that external worship becomes an inner offering to Pati (Śiva).
The mention of Uñchabhuk (one who lives by gleaning) points to austerity and simplicity; a practical takeaway is to combine restrained living with daily Śiva-upāsanā—japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and sattvic discipline.