Shloka 31
शंतनुरुवाच । शृणु तात प्रवक्ष्यामि प्रश्नं तेऽहं यथार्थतः । पितृकल्पं च निखिलं मार्कण्डेयेन मे श्रुतम्
śaṃtanuruvāca | śṛṇu tāta pravakṣyāmi praśnaṃ te'haṃ yathārthataḥ | pitṛkalpaṃ ca nikhilaṃ mārkaṇḍeyena me śrutam
சந்தனு கூறினார்—“குழந்தையே, கேள்; என் கேள்வியை உண்மையாய் உனக்குச் சொல்கிறேன். மார்கண்டேயரிடமிருந்து பித்ருகர்ம விதியான பித்ருகல்பத்தை முழுமையாக நான் கேட்டறிந்தேன்.”
King Śaṃtanu
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse introduces pitṛ-kalpa transmission (ancestral rite procedure) heard from sage Mārkaṇḍeya.
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It establishes a dharmic foundation: right inquiry (yathārthataḥ) and proper tradition (hearing from a realized sage) are essential before performing rites—so that actions become purifying and supportive of the soul’s onward journey under Śiva’s supreme governance.
Though it speaks of Pitṛ-rites, the Uma Saṃhitā frames dharma as ultimately upheld by Pati (Śiva). Proper rites performed with Śiva-bhakti and right understanding become offerings within Saguna worship, aligning household duties with devotion rather than mere formality.
The verse suggests disciplined listening to authoritative teaching before undertaking Pitṛ-kalpa; as a Shaiva takeaway, one may begin such duties with Śiva-smaraṇa and japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to sanctify intention, even though bhasma or rudrākṣa are not explicitly mentioned here.