Shloka 20
Gautama–Ahalyā-Upākhyāna: Durbhikṣa, Tapas, and Varuṇa’s Boon (गौतमाहल्योपाख्यानम्)
सूत उवाच । इत्युक्तांतर्द्दधे देवस्स्तुतस्तेन महर्षिणा । गौतमोऽपि सुखं प्राप कृत्वान्योपकृतिं मुनिः
sūta uvāca | ityuktāṃtarddadhe devasstutastena maharṣiṇā | gautamo'pi sukhaṃ prāpa kṛtvānyopakṛtiṃ muniḥ
সূত বললেন—এভাবে বলে, সেই মহর্ষির দ্বারা স্তুত দেবতা অন্তর্ধান করলেন। আর মুনি গৌতমও পরোপকার করে সুখ লাভ করলেন।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: After granting the boon, the deva disappears (antardhāna), sealing the tīrtha’s sanctity; Gautama attains sukha through paropakāra—linking tīrtha-foundation with ethical merit.
Significance: Models the ideal: service to others and devotion lead to inner peace; the deity’s ‘withdrawal’ underscores that divine presence is subtle and realized through purity.
FAQs
The verse highlights that when the Divine is sincerely praised, He may withdraw after bestowing inner assurance, while the devotee-sage attains lasting peace through dharma and selfless beneficence—an expression of Shiva’s grace (anugraha) in Shaiva thought.
Even when the Saguna form is no longer visible (“vanished from sight”), the devotee’s fulfillment remains—implying that Linga-worship and praise cultivate steady devotion beyond temporary visions, anchoring the mind in Shiva as Pati, the gracious Lord.
The practical takeaway is stuti (hymnic praise) joined with upakāra (selfless helpful action); in Shaiva practice this pairs naturally with daily japa of the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and worship offered with a calm, service-oriented mind.