Shloka 36
पितृसर्ग-श्राद्धमाहात्म्य-प्रश्नः
Pitṛ-sarga and the Greatness of Śrāddha: The Inquiry
सोऽहं तस्मै नमः कृत्वा प्रणम्य शिरसा प्रभुम् । अपृच्छं चैव तमहं विद्यामस्त्वां कथं विभो
so'haṃ tasmai namaḥ kṛtvā praṇamya śirasā prabhum | apṛcchaṃ caiva tamahaṃ vidyāmastvāṃ kathaṃ vibho
Then I offered Him salutations and bowed with my head before the Lord, and I asked: “O Vibhu, all-pervading One, how may this true vidyā—this knowledge—be attained?”
An unnamed devotee-seeker (narrator) addressing Lord Shiva as the supreme Lord (Pati)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Mantra: namaḥ
Type: stotra
Role: teaching
FAQs
It shows the Shaiva path of attainment: first humility and surrender (namaḥ, praṇāma), then earnest inquiry into vidyā—liberating knowledge granted by the Lord (Pati) to the bound soul (paśu).
The verse models how a devotee approaches Saguna Shiva—with reverence and prostration—before receiving instruction. In Linga-worship too, devotion and surrender precede the Lord’s bestowal of inner understanding.
It suggests pranama and prayerful inquiry after worship—such as bowing after Linga-puja or japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” then sincerely asking for right knowledge and guidance toward moksha.