Shloka 22
Gautama–Ahalyā-Upākhyāna: Durbhikṣa, Tapas, and Varuṇa’s Boon (गौतमाहल्योपाख्यानम्)
यादृङ्नरं च सेवेत तादृशं फलमश्नुते । महतस्सेवयोच्च त्वं क्षुद्रस्य क्षुद्रतां तथा
yādṛṅnaraṃ ca seveta tādṛśaṃ phalamaśnute | mahatassevayocca tvaṃ kṣudrasya kṣudratāṃ tathā
As is the person one chooses to serve, so is the fruit one comes to enjoy. By serving the great, one rises to greatness; by serving the petty, one likewise becomes petty.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva Purana teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya, inferred from Purana dialogue convention within the Kotirudrasaṃhitā)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Significance: Ethical-soteriological teaching for pilgrims: saṅga/sevā determines one’s spiritual trajectory; serving mahātmās and Śiva-bhaktas elevates the soul toward liberation-oriented dispositions.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches the Shaiva principle that consciousness is shaped by sevā (service) and saṅga (company): serving noble, dharmic devotees and the great elevates one toward purity and Shiva-bhakti, while serving base aims reinforces bondage and smallness.
Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is sustained by right orientation—serving Shiva’s devotees, temples, and sacred duties. Such sevā refines the mind for Saguna Shiva devotion, which in turn becomes a doorway to realizing Shiva beyond qualities.
Choose satsanga and do sevā in Shiva’s sphere—assist in Linga-pūjā, japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and disciplined conduct—because the fruit mirrors the object of one’s service.