Shloka 6
Gṛhapati’s Vow: Turning Grief into Mṛtyuñjaya–Mahākāla Sādhana (गृहपतेः प्रतिज्ञा—मृत्युंजय-महाकालजपः)
गृहपतिरुवाच । हे मातस्तात किं जातं कारणन्तद्वदाधुना । किमर्थं रुदितोऽत्यर्थं त्रासस्तादृक्कुतो हि वाम्
gṛhapatiruvāca | he mātastāta kiṃ jātaṃ kāraṇantadvadādhunā | kimarthaṃ rudito'tyarthaṃ trāsastādṛkkuto hi vām
Gṛhapati said: “O Mother, O Father—what has happened? Tell me at once the reason for it. Why are you both weeping so intensely, and from where has such fear arisen in you?”
Gṛhapati
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse highlights a core Shaiva insight: fear and grief signal an inner disturbance that calls for inquiry into its cause. Such questioning becomes the first step toward clarity (jñāna) and steadiness of mind, which ultimately supports devotion to Pati (Śiva) and release from bondage.
Although the verse is dialogical and not directly ritualistic, it sets the narrative ground for turning from panic to purposeful seeking. In the Shiva Purana, this movement typically culminates in taking refuge in Saguna Śiva—often through Linga-worship—where the devotee replaces fear with śaraṇāgati (surrender) and trust in Śiva’s protective grace.
The implied practice is self-inquiry leading to prayerful refuge: identify the cause of agitation, then steady the mind with Shiva-smaraṇa (remembrance) such as japa of the Panchākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” optionally supported by bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa as aids to focus and devotion.