Shloka 17
Sūtasya Punargamanaṃ Kāśyāṃ—Bhasma-Rudrākṣa-Tripuṇḍra-Vidhiśca
Sūta’s Return to Kāśī and the Observances of Bhasma, Rudrākṣa, and Tripuṇḍra
यदाहमुपदिश्याथ भवतः प्रणवार्थकम् । गतस्तीर्थाटनार्थाय तद्वृत्तान्तम्ब्रवीमि वः
yadāhamupadiśyātha bhavataḥ praṇavārthakam | gatastīrthāṭanārthāya tadvṛttāntambravīmi vaḥ
நான் உங்களுக்கு பிரணவம் (ஓம்) என்பதன் பொருளை உபதேசித்த பின், தீர்த்த யாத்திரைக்காகப் புறப்பட்டேன்; அதன் பின் நிகழ்ந்த வரலாற்றை இப்போது உங்களுக்குச் சொல்கிறேன்।
Sanatkumara
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Sthala Purana: Sanatkumāra, having taught the praṇava-artha (Oṃ as Śiva-tattva), transitions to a tīrtha-yātrā narrative, framing pilgrimage as an extension of śiva-jñāna into lived sādhana.
Significance: Positions Oṃ-jñāna as the inner tīrtha; outer tīrtha-visit becomes efficacious when grounded in right understanding (jñāna) and devotion (bhakti).
Mantra: oṃ (praṇava)
Type: gayatri
FAQs
It links inner realization (understanding the Praṇava, Oṁ—pointing to Pati, Śiva) with outer sacred discipline (tīrtha-yātrā), showing that knowledge and purifying conduct together mature the seeker toward liberation.
By emphasizing the Praṇava’s meaning, the verse implies that Saguna worship (such as Liṅga-upāsanā) is grounded in the mantra-principle of Oṁ; the symbol and the sound both orient the mind toward Śiva as the supreme Lord.
Praṇava-japa with contemplation of its meaning, supported by tīrtha-smaraṇa or pilgrimage as a purificatory practice—preparing the mind for steady Shaiva meditation.