Shloka 31
पितृसर्ग-श्राद्धमाहात्म्य-प्रश्नः
Pitṛ-sarga and the Greatness of Śrāddha: The Inquiry
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
Sinabi ni Śaṃtanu: “Makinig ka, anak; ilalahad ko sa iyo ang aking tanong ayon sa katotohanan. Mula kay Mārkaṇḍeya ay narinig ko nang buo ang lahat ng banal na pamamaraan ukol sa mga Pitṛ (mga ninunong sinasamba sa ritwal).”
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.