Shloka 8

Pitṛbhakti and Śrāddha: The Classification of Pitṛs and the Superiority of Pitṛ-kārya

Devanagari script

न योगेन गतिस्सा तु पितृभक्तस्य या मुने । पितृभक्तिर्विशेषेण तस्मात्कार्या महामुने

Transliteration

na yogena gatissā tu pitṛbhaktasya yā mune | pitṛbhaktirviśeṣeṇa tasmātkāryā mahāmune

Translation

O sage, the blessed attainment gained by one devoted to the Pitṛs (ancestral fathers) is not reached merely by yogic practice. Therefore, O great sage, devotion to the Pitṛs should be performed with special earnestness.

Word by Word

• न: not
• न: निषेध (particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध (negation)

• योगेन: by yoga
• योगेन: करण (करणकारक)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; करण ('by yoga')

• गतिः: attainment/way
• गतिः: कर्ता (विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'attainment/way'

• सा: that
• सा: कर्ता (अन्वय-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'that (she/it)'

• तु: indeed
• तु: सम्बन्ध/निपात
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात

• पितृभक्तस्य: of one devoted to ancestors
• पितृभक्तस्य: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ-भक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन; समासः—पितृषु भक्तः इति सप्तमी-तत्पुरुषः; 'of the ancestor-devotee'

• या: which
• या: कर्ता (विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सम्बन्धे—'which' (relative pronoun)

• मुने: O sage
• मुने: सम्बोधन (address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

• पितृभक्तिः: devotion to ancestors
• पितृभक्तिः: कर्ता (कर्ता/विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ-भक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—पितृषु भक्तिः इति सप्तमी-तत्पुरुषः; 'devotion to ancestors'

• विशेषेण: especially
• विशेषेण: क्रियाविशेषण (manner)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विशेष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणार्थे ('especially')

• तस्मात्: therefore
• तस्मात्: हेतु (cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी, एकवचन; हेतौ ('therefore/from that')

• कार्या: should be done
• कार्या: विधेय (predicate)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृ (धातु) + यत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (gerundive/भाव्य, 'to be done'); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषणम् (predicate: 'should be done')

• महामुने: O great sage
• महामुने: सम्बोधन (address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा-मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन; समासः—महान् मुनिः इति कर्मधारयः

Speaker

Lord Shiva

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Śiva teaches that mere yogic technique without dharmic gratitude (pitṛ-bhakti) does not yield the same ‘gati’; emphasizes integrated path—ācāra + bhakti + grace.

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Pitrs

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

The verse teaches that spiritual progress is not only a matter of yogic technique; in Shaiva dharma, reverent gratitude and duty toward the Pitṛs is a powerful, merit-bearing form of bhakti that supports one’s auspicious gati (attainment).

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

In the Shiva Purana’s Shaiva framework, devotion is expressed through right conduct (dharma) alongside worship. Honoring the Pitṛs complements Saguna Shiva worship (such as Linga-pūjā) by purifying obligations and strengthening the devotee’s fitness for Shiva’s grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is to prioritize Pitṛ-bhakti through prescribed ancestral rites (such as śrāddha and tarpaṇa) with sincerity; this verse does not specifically prescribe rudrākṣa, bhasma, or a mantra practice.