Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 16
स्कन्दसरः (Skandasara) — तीर्थवर्णनम् / Description of the Skandasara Sacred Lake
स्नानपानादिकरणैः स्वसंपद्द्रुमजीविभिः । प्रणयात्प्राणिभिस्तैस्तैर्भाषमाणमिवासकृत्
snānapānādikaraṇaiḥ svasaṃpaddrumajīvibhiḥ | praṇayātprāṇibhistaistairbhāṣamāṇamivāsakṛt
Von jenen Lebewesen—die durch ihren eigenen Wohlstand wie wunscherfüllende Kalpataru-Bäume lebten—die mit Baden, Trinken und anderen Diensten beschäftigt waren, wurde er immer wieder liebevoll angesprochen, als sprächen sie vertraut und erneut zu ihm.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Not tied to a specific Jyotirliṅga; the verse depicts beings offering ‘services’ (snāna, pāna, etc.) in affectionate reciprocity, aligning with bhakti-inflected tīrtha culture.
Significance: Highlights the devotional psychology of the paśu (bound soul/creature) turning toward Pati with intimacy; suggests grace (anugraha) experienced as ‘being addressed’ and welcomed by the sacred environment.
Role: nurturing
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It highlights bhakti expressed as affectionate seva—ordinary acts like bathing and offering drinks become sanctified when performed for or around the Lord, indicating that grace (anugraha) is approached through loving attention rather than mere formality.
It reflects Saguna-upasana: devotees relate to Shiva in a personal, intimate way—speaking to Him repeatedly with love—mirroring how worshippers serve and address the Shiva-Linga with offerings, abhisheka, and heartfelt prayer.
Devotional service (seva) performed with affection—such as snana/abhisheka and offering water or drink—paired with repeated, loving remembrance and verbal prayer (japa-like repetition in spirit).