Shloka 24
पितृसर्ग-श्राद्धमाहात्म्य-प्रश्नः
Pitṛ-sarga and the Greatness of Śrāddha: The Inquiry
प्रमाणं यद्धि कुरुते धर्माचारेण पार्थिवः । प्रजास्तदनु वर्तंते प्रमाणाचरितं सदा
pramāṇaṃ yaddhi kurute dharmācāreṇa pārthivaḥ | prajāstadanu vartaṃte pramāṇācaritaṃ sadā
Standar perilaku yang ditetapkan raja melalui laku dharma, itulah yang senantiasa diikuti rakyat; sebab teladan yang berwibawa selalu ditiru.
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse teaches that dharma is transmitted through lived example: when a leader embodies righteous conduct, it becomes a pramāṇa (authoritative measure) that shapes collective behavior, supporting harmony and inner purification aligned with Shiva’s order.
In Shaiva practice, devotion to Saguna Shiva (including Linga worship) is not limited to ritual; it must express as dharmic conduct. A ruler who worships Shiva yet fails in righteous behavior undermines the very pramāṇa that should reflect Shiva’s dharma in society.
The practical takeaway is disciplined dharmācāra as daily sādhana—beginning worship with purity and truthfulness, and supporting it with japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) so one’s conduct itself becomes a pramāṇa for others.