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
ఇక్కడి నుండి బయలుదేరి దక్షుని సముద్ర తీరానికి చేరి స్నానం చేసి, విధివిధానముగా కన్యారూపిణి దేవి శివాను పూజించాలి; ఆపై, ఓ విప్రేంద్రులారా, తిరిగి వచ్చి సువర్ణముఖరీ తీరానికి చేరాలి।
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.