Shloka 19
शिशुकस्य शिवशास्त्रप्राप्तिः (Śiśuka’s Attainment of Śaiva Teaching and Grace)
एह्येहि मम पुत्रेति सामपूर्वं ततस्सुतम् । आलिंग्यादाय दुःखार्ता प्रददौ कृत्रिमं पयः
ehyehi mama putreti sāmapūrvaṃ tatassutam | āliṃgyādāya duḥkhārtā pradadau kṛtrimaṃ payaḥ
Saying gently, “Come, come—my son,” she first soothed the child with kind words; then, stricken with sorrow, she embraced him close and gave him artificial milk.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana account to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga setting; it continues the Upamanyu household episode where a substitute is offered to quiet the child.
Significance: Teaches discernment: soothing words and substitutes may calm temporarily, but the devotee’s true ‘milk’ is Śiva’s grace and direct experience.
Role: nurturing
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It highlights the binding power of worldly attachment (pāśa) through grief and affection, preparing the reader for Shaiva reflection: only Pati (Shiva) ultimately frees the soul (paśu) from sorrow and dependency.
The verse contrasts fragile, worldly support with the steady refuge of Saguna Shiva worship—devotion to the Linga is presented in the Purana as a dependable sanctuary when human supports fail or are limited.
A practical takeaway is to steady the mind in distress by japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and remembrance of Shiva as the compassionate remover of sorrow (duḥkha-hara).