Shloka 47

दारुवनलीला—नीललोहितपरीक्षा, ब्रह्मोपदेशः, अतिथिधर्मः, संन्यासक्रमः

Devanagari script

सुव्रते सुभ्रु सुभगे शृणु सर्वं प्रयत्नतः त्वया वै नावमन्तव्या गृहे ह्यतिथयः सदा

Transliteration

suvrate subhru subhage śṛṇu sarvaṃ prayatnataḥ tvayā vai nāvamantavyā gṛhe hyatithayaḥ sadā

Translation

Ô femme aux vœux nobles, au beau sourcil et de bon augure, écoute tout avec soin : jamais tu ne dois mépriser les hôtes dans la maison, car dans un foyer les hôtes doivent toujours être vénérés. Un tel honneur rendu à l’atithi est un dharma śaiva : il purifie le paśu (l’âme liée) et desserre les pāśa (liens), réjouissant Pati, le Seigneur Śiva.

Word by Word

• suvrate: O you of good vows

• subhru: O fair-browed one

• subhage: O auspicious/fortunate one

• śṛṇu: listen

• sarvam: everything

• prayatnataḥ: with effort/carefully

• tvayā: by you

• vai: indeed

• na-avamantavyāḥ: are not to be disrespected/should not be insulted

• gṛhe: in the house

• hi: for/indeed

• atithayaḥ: guests

• sadā: always

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating an internal dharma-instruction dialogue within the Linga Purana tradition)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It frames everyday hospitality (atithi-satkara) as a form of Shaiva dharma: honoring guests cultivates purity, humility, and merit that supports Linga-puja by making the devotee fit (adhikārin) for Shiva’s grace.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Shiva-tattva is implied as Pati—the Lord pleased by dharmic conduct. By not dishonoring guests, the paśu’s ego-softening service helps loosen pāśa, aligning the household life with Shiva’s order (ṛta/dharma).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Sevā and vinaya (service and humility) as practical discipline: a grihastha observance that complements Pashupata-oriented purification and supports puja by restraining pride and cultivating sattva.