Shloka 57
पितृसर्ग-श्राद्धमाहात्म्य-प्रश्नः
Pitṛ-sarga and the Greatness of Śrāddha: The Inquiry
तेभ्यः पुष्टिप्रदाश्चैव पितरः प्रीणितास्सदा । श्राद्धे ये च प्रदास्यंति त्रीन्पिंडान्नामगोत्रतः
tebhyaḥ puṣṭipradāścaiva pitaraḥ prīṇitāssadā | śrāddhe ye ca pradāsyaṃti trīnpiṃḍānnāmagotrataḥ
From those offerings the Pitṛs (ancestral beings) are ever satisfied and, in return, bestow nourishment and well-being. Therefore, in the śrāddha rite one should duly offer the three piṇḍas, stating the ancestor’s name and gotra (lineage).
Suta Goswami (narrating the Uma-saṃhitā teachings to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It teaches that honoring the Pitṛs through śrāddha is a dharmic obligation that sustains harmony in the karmic order; satisfied ancestors confer puṣṭi (nourishing support), helping the devotee live steadily on the path of Shiva-dharma.
In the Shiva Purana’s integrated Shaiva life, Linga-bhakti and household dharma are not opposed: performing śrāddha correctly (with name and gotra) purifies one’s obligations (pāśa) and supports disciplined devotion to Saguna Shiva, ultimately aiding progress toward Shiva’s grace.
The practical instruction is to offer three piṇḍas during śrāddha while clearly stating nāma and gotra; as a Shaiva support-practice, one may also maintain purity and remember Shiva inwardly (japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while completing the rite.