Shloka 6
Jaṭilāvatāra-Parīkṣā: Pārvatyāḥ Tapasāṃ Parīkṣaṇam
The Jaṭilā Episode and the Testing of Pārvatī’s Austerity
तत्रागत्य शिवं नत्वा वृत्तान्तं च निवेद्य तत् । तदाज्ञां समनुप्राप्य स्वर्लोकं जग्मुरादरात्
tatrāgatya śivaṃ natvā vṛttāntaṃ ca nivedya tat | tadājñāṃ samanuprāpya svarlokaṃ jagmurādarāt
Arriving there, they bowed to Lord Śiva and reported the entire account. Having duly received His command, they departed with reverence for Svarga, the celestial realm.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse depicts devas/munis approaching Śiva, reporting events, and receiving ājñā—typical Purāṇic framing of Śiva as supreme dispenser of command and grace.
Significance: Models śaraṇāgati: reporting truthfully to Śiva and acting only after receiving His ājñā is portrayed as dharmic alignment that leads to auspicious realms (svarga) and ultimately higher grace.
FAQs
The verse highlights śaraṇāgati (humble surrender): bowing to Śiva, truthfully reporting one’s actions, and then living by His ājñā. In Shaiva Siddhanta, this reflects the soul (paśu) aligning with the Lord (Pati) through obedience and reverence, which purifies intention and karma.
It exemplifies Saguna Śiva as the compassionate, approachable Lord who receives devotees, hears their account, and grants direction. Linga-worship similarly centers on approaching Śiva with humility (namaskāra), offering one’s inner state, and receiving guidance through dharma and devotion.
A practical takeaway is daily namaskāra to Śiva and “nivedana-bhāva” (offering one’s deeds and thoughts to Him), ideally with japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—as a discipline of surrender and alignment with Śiva’s will.