Shloka 1
Saṃjñā–Chāyā Upākhyāna: Sūrya-tejas, Substitution, and the Birth of Manu, Yama, and Yamunā
सूत उवाच । विवस्वान्कश्यपाज्जज्ञे दाक्षायण्यां महाऋषेः । तस्य भार्याऽभवत्संज्ञा त्वाष्ट्री देवी सुरेणुका
sūta uvāca | vivasvānkaśyapājjajñe dākṣāyaṇyāṃ mahāṛṣeḥ | tasya bhāryā'bhavatsaṃjñā tvāṣṭrī devī sureṇukā
Sūta said: From the great sage Kaśyapa, in Dākṣāyaṇī, the daughter of Dakṣa, Vivasvān was born. His wife was Saṃjñā, the divine daughter of Tvaṣṭṛ, also known as Sureṇukā.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Not a jyotirliṅga passage; it begins a genealogical/cosmic narrative leading to Vaivasvata Manu, situating beings (paśu) within saṃsāric lineage under māyā.
Cosmic Event: manvantara genealogical setup (Vaivasvata line)
FAQs
This verse establishes the sacred lineage and cosmic order (dharma) within which Shiva’s teachings and grace operate; by grounding the narrative in recognized divine genealogies, the Purana frames worldly roles as meaningful when aligned with devotion to Pati (Lord Shiva).
Though the verse is genealogical, it prepares the narrative setting for Saguna Shiva worship by situating gods and sages within an ordered cosmos; in the Shiva Purana, such order ultimately culminates in turning the mind toward Shiva as the supreme refuge beyond all lineages.
No specific rite is prescribed in this verse; a fitting Shaiva takeaway is to maintain daily Shiva-smaraṇa with the Panchākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” supported by simple purity observances (bhasma/Tripuṇḍra and japa) according to one’s capacity.