Shloka 9
Śiva-Naivedya-Grāhyatā-Nirṇayaḥ
On the Proper Acceptance and Merit of Śiva’s Consecrated Food-Offering
न यस्य शिवनैवेद्यग्रहणेच्छा प्रजायते । स पापिष्ठो गरिष्ठः स्यान्नरकं यात्यपि ध्रुवम्
na yasya śivanaivedyagrahaṇecchā prajāyate | sa pāpiṣṭho gariṣṭhaḥ syānnarakaṃ yātyapi dhruvam
مَن لا تنشأ في قلبه رغبةٌ في قبول «النَيْوِدْيَا»؛ طعام القربان المُقدَّس للربّ شِيفا، فهو أشدّ الناس إثمًا وأعظمهم لومًا؛ ومحقّقٌ أنه يمضي إلى الجحيم.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: The verse functions as a general dharma-śāsana: refusal of Śiva-prasāda signals aversion to Śiva’s grace and increases bondage, described in purāṇic idiom as naraka-gati.
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It teaches that honoring Śiva’s consecrated offering (prasāda/naivedya) is a direct expression of bhakti and humility; rejecting it indicates inner aversion to Śiva’s grace, leading to demerit.
In Liṅga/Saguṇa worship, offerings are made to Śiva and returned as prasāda; accepting it is part of completing the pūjā, acknowledging Śiva’s presence and blessing through the consecrated offering.
Offer naivedya in Śiva-pūjā and reverently partake of Śiva-prasāda as a vow of devotion; combine it with japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” to cultivate receptivity to Śiva’s anugraha (grace).