Shloka 3
भस्म–रुद्राक्ष–शिवनाममाहात्म्य
The Greatness of Bhasma, Rudrākṣa, and the Name of Śiva
सूत उवाच । साधुपृष्टं भवद्भिश्च लोकानां हितकारकम् । भवंतो वै महाधन्याः पवित्राः कुलभूषणाः
sūta uvāca | sādhupṛṣṭaṃ bhavadbhiśca lokānāṃ hitakārakam | bhavaṃto vai mahādhanyāḥ pavitrāḥ kulabhūṣaṇāḥ
سوت نے کہا—آپ لوگوں نے نہایت عمدہ سوال کیا ہے جو جہانوں کے لیے باعثِ خیر ہے۔ بے شک آپ بہت بابرکت، پاکیزہ اور اپنے معزز خاندان کی زینت ہیں۔
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage; it is Sūta’s commendation of the sages’ inquiry as lokahita (world-benefiting), a standard Purāṇic preface to dharma-upadeśa.
Significance: Elevates satpraśna (right questioning) and śravaṇa as purifying acts; in pilgrimage culture, hearing kathā at tīrthas is itself counted as a merit-producing observance.
FAQs
It teaches that sincere, dharma-aligned inquiry in satsanga is itself purifying and becomes lokahita (welfare for all), preparing the mind for Shaiva teachings that lead toward liberation.
Before describing Linga-worship and Saguna Shiva’s grace, the Purana establishes the right approach: humble questioning and pure intent, which makes the listener fit to receive Shiva-tattva and ritual instructions.
The implied practice is śravaṇa (devotional listening) and satpraśna (right questioning) in a sacred assembly—foundational disciplines that support mantra-japa and later observances like bhasma and rudrākṣa.