Shloka 63
Gṛhapati’s Vow: Turning Grief into Mṛtyuñjaya–Mahākāla Sādhana (गृहपतेः प्रतिज्ञा—मृत्युंजय-महाकालजपः)
अनाथस्याग्निसंस्कारं यः कुर्य्याच्छ्रद्धयान्वितः । अशक्तः प्रेरयेदन्यं सोग्निलोके महीयते
anāthasyāgnisaṃskāraṃ yaḥ kuryyācchraddhayānvitaḥ | aśaktaḥ prerayedanyaṃ sogniloke mahīyate
Quiconque, animé de foi, accomplit pour celui qui n’a point de protecteur les rites du feu—crémation et derniers sacrements funéraires—ou, s’il en est incapable, fait agir un autre à sa place, est honoré et exalté dans le royaume d’Agni (Agni-loka). Selon la perspective śaiva, ce dharma de compassion devient une offrande qui réjouit le Seigneur et soutient la marche du jīva du défunt.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; it extols compassionate performance of antyeṣṭi/agnisaṃskāra for the ‘anātha’ (unprotected deceased), promising honor in Agniloka—framed as dharma that aids the departed jīva’s onward passage.
Significance: Merit through compassion and social dharma; Siddhānta reading: such acts reduce demerit, support orderly transmigration, and invite Śiva’s favorable regard (anugraha) though liberation proper remains Śiva-dependent.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It teaches that compassionate dharma—ensuring proper last rites for the unprotected—creates great puṇya; such selfless service becomes a sacred offering aligned with Shaiva values of grace and upliftment of the jīva.
While not a direct Linga-worship instruction, it reflects Saguna Shiva’s dharma: serving beings with faith is an act of devotion. In Shaiva Purana ethos, righteous service supports purification and draws Shiva’s anugraha (grace).
The practical teaching is to perform or arrange antyeṣṭi (agnisaṃskāra) with śraddhā; as an inner practice, cultivate compassion and offer the act mentally to Lord Shiva as seva for the departed.