Shloka 23
पितृसर्ग-श्राद्धमाहात्म्य-प्रश्नः
Pitṛ-sarga and the Greatness of Śrāddha: The Inquiry
त्वया दायादवानस्मि धर्मज्ञेन विपश्चिता । तारितोहं तु जिज्ञासा कृता मे पुरुषोत्तम
tvayā dāyādavānasmi dharmajñena vipaścitā | tāritohaṃ tu jijñāsā kṛtā me puruṣottama
اے دینِ دھرم کے جاننے والے اور دانا! آپ نے مجھے نیکی کے ثواب کا وارث بنایا۔ آپ ہی کے سبب میں نجات پایا؛ میری جستجو پوری ہوئی، اے پُرُشوتّم۔
A devotee/disciple addressing Lord Shiva (Puruṣottama) in a teaching dialogue within Umāsaṃhitā
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
FAQs
The verse frames Shiva as the liberator (tāritā) who fulfills the seeker’s jijñāsā—true inquiry into dharma and reality—granting a rightful share in spiritual merit and the path toward moksha.
Addressing Shiva as Puruṣottama supports Saguna devotion: the seeker approaches the personal Lord who actively rescues and instructs. In Shaiva practice, this inner transformation is commonly anchored through Linga-worship as the tangible focus for grace and right understanding.
The practical takeaway is disciplined dharma-jijñāsā supported by Shiva-upāsanā—daily remembrance and prayer to Shiva (often with the Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to seek guidance, clarity, and liberation.