Shloka 18
Sūtasya Punargamanaṃ Kāśyāṃ—Bhasma-Rudrākṣa-Tripuṇḍra-Vidhiśca
Sūta’s Return to Kāśī and the Observances of Bhasma, Rudrākṣa, and Tripuṇḍra
इतो निर्गत्य सम्प्राप्य तीरं दक्षपयोनिधेः । स्नात्वा सम्पूज्य विधिवद्देवीं कन्यामयीं शिवाम् । पुनरागत्य विप्रेन्द्रास्सुवर्णमुखरीतटम्
ito nirgatya samprāpya tīraṃ dakṣapayonidheḥ | snātvā sampūjya vidhivaddevīṃ kanyāmayīṃ śivām | punarāgatya viprendrāssuvarṇamukharītaṭam
Berangkat dari sini dan tiba di pesisir lautan Dakṣa, hendaklah mandi suci dan, menurut tata upacara yang benar, memuja Dewi Śivā yang bersemayam di sana dalam wujud seorang gadis. Kemudian, wahai yang terbaik di antara brāhmaṇa, kembalilah dan datanglah ke tebing Sungai Suvarṇamukharī.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: A tīrtha-sequence: reaching ‘Dakṣa’s ocean’ (a mythic/locally sacralized seashore), bathing, and worshipping Devī Śivā as kanyā (maiden-form), then proceeding to Suvarṇamukharī’s bank—typical of sthala-māhātmya itineraries that map inner purity onto outer geography.
Significance: Snāna + Devī-pūjā as preparatory śuddhi for Śiva-darśana; emphasizes that approach to Pati (Śiva) is supported by Śakti’s grace and auspiciousness.
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
The verse presents a Shaiva tirtha-dharma sequence: purification by sacred bathing, followed by disciplined worship of Śivā (Shakti) and then proceeding onward—showing that inner purity and devotion to Shiva-Shakti together prepare the seeker for higher realization.
Although the verse highlights the Goddess in a kanyā-form, it reflects Saguna worship central to the Shiva Purana: honoring Shiva’s power (Śivā/Śakti) through prescribed rites supports Linga-centered devotion by establishing purity, right conduct, and reverence for the inseparable Shiva-Shakti principle.
It suggests tirtha-snana (ritual bath) and vidhivat pūjā (scripturally guided worship). As a practical Shaiva takeaway, one may combine bathing/ablutions with mantra-japa (e.g., Panchakshara) and respectful Devi worship before continuing pilgrimage or daily sadhana.