Shloka 6
पार्वत्याः तपः-परीक्षा (Śiva Tests Pārvatī’s Austerity)
आगतं तं तदा दृष्ट्वा ब्राह्मणं तेजसाद्भुतम् । अपूजयच्छिवा देवी सर्वपूजोपहारकैः
āgataṃ taṃ tadā dṛṣṭvā brāhmaṇaṃ tejasādbhutam | apūjayacchivā devī sarvapūjopahārakaiḥ
حينئذٍ، لمّا رأت الإلهة شيفا (بارفتي) ذلك البرهمن قد أقبل ذا بهاءٍ عجيب، أكرمته بكلّ أنواع العبادة وبجميع القرابين والهِبات المألوفة في الطقوس.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Bhikṣāṭana
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the scene functions as a dharma-test motif where Śiva approaches in disguised form and the devotee’s conduct (satkāra/atithi-pūjā) becomes the vehicle for grace.
Significance: Models atithi-satkāra as a Śaiva virtue: honoring the radiant ascetic is tantamount to honoring Śiva; such conduct is portrayed as a proximate cause for anugraha (Śiva’s favor).
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It highlights atithi-sevā (reverent hospitality) as a form of bhakti: honoring a luminous brāhmaṇa is treated as honoring Śiva’s presence, training the devotee in humility, purity, and dharma—supports for grace (anugraha) in the Shaiva path.
The verse models Saguna-bhakti: devotion expressed through tangible pūjā and offerings. In Shaiva practice, such external worship—whether to the Liṅga or to Śiva’s devotees/holy guests—cultivates inner devotion and readiness for Śiva’s grace.
Practice atithi-pūjā: receive holy guests with respectful words, water for washing, a seat, food, and offerings; inwardly repeat the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while offering, seeing the guest as worthy of Śiva’s honor.