Shloka 47
पानीयदान-प्रपादान-वापीकूपतडाग-निर्माण-प्रशंसा
Praise of Water-Gift and the Construction of Wells and Tanks
अष्टाशीतिसहस्राणि मुनीनामूर्द्ध्वरेतसाम् । तपसा दिवि मोदंते समेता दैवतैस्सह
aṣṭāśītisahasrāṇi munīnāmūrddhvaretasām | tapasā divi modaṃte sametā daivataissaha
Eighty-eight thousand sages, whose vital energies are sublimated upward through brahmacarya, rejoice in heaven by the power of their tapas, gathered in the company of the gods.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Not tied to a Jyotirliṅga; it describes tapas-driven heavenly enjoyment of brahmacārī sages (ūrdhvaretas), illustrating that even exalted ascetic attainments remain within saṃsāric realms.
Significance: Encourages discipline (tapas/brahmacarya) but implicitly contrasts svarga-delight with the higher Śaiva goal of Pati’s anugraha leading to mokṣa.
Cosmic Event: svarga-bhoga (heavenly enjoyment) as a karmic/tapas fruit within cosmic order
FAQs
The verse highlights tapas (austerity) and ūrdhva-retas (sublimation through disciplined brahmacarya) as yogic means that purify the pashu (bound being) and elevate consciousness toward divine realms—an outer sign of inner mastery praised in Shaiva teaching.
Though it speaks of ascetics, the implication aligns with Saguna Shiva worship: restraint, purity, and tapas make the devotee fit for Linga-upasana, where the mind becomes steady for japa and dhyana, and Shiva’s grace is more readily received.
A practical takeaway is disciplined tapas supported by brahmacarya, along with steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and meditation that turns the life-force inward and upward (ūrdhva), especially during observances like Mahashivratri.