Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 20
देवशरणागति-नारदप्रेषणम् | The Devas Take Refuge in Śiva; Nārada Is Sent
अथागतं मुनिश्रेष्ठं दृष्ट्वा देवो जलंधरः । उत्थाय परया भक्त्या ददौ श्रेष्ठासनं वरम्
athāgataṃ muniśreṣṭhaṃ dṛṣṭvā devo jalaṃdharaḥ | utthāya parayā bhaktyā dadau śreṣṭhāsanaṃ varam
Als Jalandhara, der Herr, den vornehmsten der Weisen kommen sah, erhob er sich und bot ihm in höchster Hingabe einen vortrefflichen, ehrwürdigen Sitz an.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
The verse highlights dharma expressed as reverence to realized sages; honoring a muni with humility and devotion is treated as a purifier of ego and a support for spiritual merit, aligning with Shaiva ethics that service to the holy strengthens bhakti and inner refinement.
In Shaiva tradition, devotion is not limited to ritual before the Linga; it also includes honoring Shiva’s devotees and saints. Respecting a muni is an extension of Saguna Shiva-bhakti, since the guru-sage is revered as a carrier of Shiva’s grace and knowledge.
It suggests atithi-seva (welcoming the worthy guest) as a daily dharmic practice—rising with humility, offering a seat and respect—paired with a devotional attitude; one may mentally dedicate such service to Shiva with the remembrance of the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya.”