Shloka 49
पितृसर्ग-श्राद्धमाहात्म्य-प्रश्नः
Pitṛ-sarga and the Greatness of Śrāddha: The Inquiry
अभिशप्तास्तु ते देवाः पुत्रकामेन वेधसम् । पप्रच्छुरुक्ताः पुत्रैस्ते गतास्ते पुत्रका इति
abhiśaptāstu te devāḥ putrakāmena vedhasam | papracchuruktāḥ putraiste gatāste putrakā iti
Those gods, having been cursed, approached Brahmā (the Creator), who longed for sons, and questioned him. Being addressed, they said: “Those sons of yours—where have they gone? What became of the sons?”
Suta Goswami (narrating the Umāsaṃhitā account to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights how beings bound by karma (a curse as a form of pāśa, bondage) are driven to seek higher guidance; in Śaiva Siddhānta, such suffering becomes a catalyst to turn toward the Lord’s order (niyati) and ultimately toward Shiva’s grace.
Though Shiva is not named in this line, the narrative mood is one of seeking refuge beyond worldly power; in the Shiva Purana this movement culminates in turning to Saguna Shiva—often through linga-oriented worship—as the accessible focus for grace when cosmic roles (even Brahmā’s) cannot resolve distress.
The practical takeaway is śaraṇāgati (seeking refuge) expressed through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and simple Shiva-upāsanā such as offering water to the linga with a prayer for clarity and release from karmic obstacles.