Shloka 7
Umā-caritra-prārthanā: Ṛṣayaḥ Sūtaṃ Pṛcchanti
Request for the Account of Umā
शृण्वतां पृच्छतां चैव तथा वाचयतां च तत् । पादाम्बुजरजांस्येव तीर्थानि मुनयो विदुः
śṛṇvatāṃ pṛcchatāṃ caiva tathā vācayatāṃ ca tat | pādāmbujarajāṃsyeva tīrthāni munayo viduḥ
Bagi mereka yang mendengar, bertanya, dan juga melantunkannya, ajaran ini menjadi tīrtha sejati—laksana debu suci dari padma-kaki Sang Bhagavān—demikian para muni mengetahuinya.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Sthala Purana: Not a specific sthala; the verse universalizes kathā-śravaṇa/pāṭha as a movable tīrtha—sanctity generated by contact with the Lord’s pāda-rajas (metaphorically through teaching).
Significance: Transforms listening, questioning, and recitation into tīrtha-sevā; grants purification comparable to pilgrimage merit.
FAQs
It teaches that Shiva-kathā becomes a living tīrtha: by listening, sincere inquiry, and recitation/teaching, one gains sanctification comparable to contact with the Lord’s lotus-feet—pointing to grace (anugraha) that purifies the bonds (pāśa).
It frames devotion not only as external pilgrimage but as approaching Saguna Shiva through His narrative and praise; hearing and reciting the Lord’s glories is treated as direct devotional contact, akin to reverencing His lotus-feet—supporting Linga-worship with inner bhakti and remembrance.
Regular śravaṇa (hearing), praśna (asking to clarify), and vācana/pāṭha (recitation or teaching) of Shiva Purana passages as a daily sādhana—especially on auspicious days like Mahāśivarātri—performed with devotion and purity of intention.