Shloka 9
हिमालयस्य निर्णयः — शिवाय पार्वत्याः प्रदाने
Himālaya’s Resolution to Give Pārvatī to Śiva
अथ सा मेनका शैलपत्नी बुद्ध्वा प्रसन्नधीः । मुनीनरुन्धतीं शैलं भोजयित्वा बुभोज च
atha sā menakā śailapatnī buddhvā prasannadhīḥ | munīnarundhatīṃ śailaṃ bhojayitvā bubhoja ca
Kemudian Menakā, istri Himālaya, memahami keadaan itu dengan hati tenteram dan gembira. Ia terlebih dahulu menjamu para resi—bersama Arundhatī dan Śaila (Himālaya)—lalu sesudahnya ia pun makan.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Role: nurturing
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It highlights atithi-sevā—honouring guests and sages—as a foundational dharma that purifies the mind (prasanna-dhī) and prepares a household for higher Shaiva devotion and auspicious outcomes.
Though the verse describes hospitality, in Shaiva practice such service to devotees and sages is treated as service to Saguna Shiva’s presence in the holy and the virtuous, supporting the merit that culminates in Shiva-bhakti.
A practical takeaway is to begin worship with respectful service—offering food and water, maintaining purity and calmness—then proceed to Shiva-pūjā (e.g., japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), reflecting the same spirit of reverent offering.