Shloka 2
गिरिराजस्य शिवनिमन्त्रणम् / The Mountain-King Invites Śiva
Hospitality to Śiva and the Devas
ततो गिरिवरः स्नात्वा स्वेष्टं सम्पूज्य यत्नतः । पौरबन्धून्समाहूय जनवासं ययौ मुदा
tato girivaraḥ snātvā sveṣṭaṃ sampūjya yatnataḥ | paurabandhūnsamāhūya janavāsaṃ yayau mudā
Then the excellent lord of the mountain bathed, and with due care worshipped his chosen deity. Summoning his kinsmen and townsmen, he joyfully proceeded to the place of habitation (the settlement).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Himālaya (girivara) performs snāna and iṣṭa-devatā pūjā before receiving guests—an archetypal sthala-purāṇa pattern of the sacred host preparing for divine visitation, but not tied here to a named Jyotirliṅga.
Significance: Teaches pūrva-śuddhi and īśvara-ārādhana before saṅgati (hosting saints/devas); hospitality becomes an extension of worship.
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It highlights a Shaiva discipline: begin action only after inner and outer purification (snāna) and sincere worship (yatnataḥ sampūjya), showing that worldly duties should be grounded in devotion to the Lord.
The phrase “sveṣṭaṃ” implies iṣṭa-devatā worship—devotion to Shiva in a chosen, approachable form (saguṇa upāsanā), which in Shaiva practice is often expressed through Liṅga-pūjā performed carefully and consistently.
A simple daily sequence is implied: snāna (purificatory bath), then attentive pūjā of one’s iṣṭa (often with mantra-japa such as Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and only afterward engaging in communal or household responsibilities.