Shloka 3
Ikṣvāku-vaṃśa-prasaṅgaḥ — Genealogy of the Ikṣvāku Line and Exempla of Royal Dharma
तत्कर्म शृणु तत्प्रीत्या यज्जातं वंशतो विधेः । श्राद्धकर्म्मणि चोद्दिष्टो ह्यकृते श्राद्धकर्मणि
tatkarma śṛṇu tatprītyā yajjātaṃ vaṃśato vidheḥ | śrāddhakarmmaṇi coddiṣṭo hyakṛte śrāddhakarmaṇi
Listen with devotion to that rite, born from the lineage of the Ordainer (Brahmā). It is enjoined for the Śrāddha ceremony, and is prescribed even when the Śrāddha rite has not been performed.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; it introduces a ‘karma/rite’ traced to Brahmā’s tradition and specifies its applicability to śrāddha—both as a direct injunction and as a substitute/auxiliary when śrāddha is not performed.
Significance: Didactic: emphasizes continuity of ritual tradition (vidhi) and the binding force of karmic injunctions; in Śaiva Siddhānta, such karma belongs to pāśa (bondage) unless transformed by Śiva-bhakti and grace.
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It affirms that certain dharmic rites, traced to the Brahmā-tradition, are spiritually efficacious and should be heard and followed with devotion; right performance supports purity of conduct, which in Shaiva Siddhanta becomes a support for Shiva-bhakti and liberation.
By emphasizing faithful adherence to enjoined rites, it supports the wider Shaiva framework where ritual duty (karma) and devotion (bhakti) harmonize—preparing the devotee for focused worship of Saguna Shiva, including Linga-upasana, with steadiness and inner cleanliness.
The practical takeaway is to perform the prescribed rite connected with Śrāddha (or its substitute when Śrāddha is not done) with a devotional mindset; inwardly, maintain remembrance of Shiva while executing dharmic duties.