Shiva Purana — Uma Samhita, Shloka 27
Pitṛbhakti and Śrāddha: The Classification of Pitṛs and the Superiority of Pitṛ-kārya
ते सर्वे शुभकर्माणस्सद्धर्माणो वनेचराः । विधर्माचरणैर्हीना जातिस्मरणसिद्धयः
te sarve śubhakarmāṇassaddharmāṇo vanecarāḥ | vidharmācaraṇairhīnā jātismaraṇasiddhayaḥ
அவர்கள் அனைவரும் வனவாசிகள்; நற்கருமங்களில் ஈடுபட்டு சத்தர்மத்தில் நிலைத்தவர்கள். அதர்மச் செயல்களின்றி, முன்ஜன்ம நினைவு எனும் சித்தியை அடைந்திருந்தனர்।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse links spiritual maturity to ethical purity: those rooted in sat-dharma and free from vidharmic conduct become fit for higher yogic awareness, such as jātismaraṇa (memory of past births), which supports detachment and the pursuit of Shiva-realization.
In the Shiva Purana’s devotional frame, outer worship of Saguna Shiva (including Linga worship) is meant to refine conduct into sat-dharma; when adharma is abandoned, the mind becomes steady and transparent—an inner condition praised as conducive to Shiva-bhakti and deeper yogic insight.
The practical takeaway is dharmic discipline and yogic steadiness: maintain purity of conduct, avoid vidharmic actions, and cultivate focused meditation—traditionally supported in Shaiva practice by japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and a sattvic ascetic lifestyle.