Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 49
जालन्धरस्य दूतप्रेषणम् — Jalandhara Sends an Envoy to Kailāsa
The Provocation of Śiva
मत्प्रियस्त्वं मदर्चायां सदा पूज्योऽहि मज्जनैः । त्वदर्चां ये न कुर्वंति नैव ते मत्प्रियंकराः
matpriyastvaṃ madarcāyāṃ sadā pūjyo'hi majjanaiḥ | tvadarcāṃ ye na kurvaṃti naiva te matpriyaṃkarāḥ
汝は我にとって愛しき者。ゆえに我が礼拝において、我が帰依者たちは常に汝を敬い供養すべし。汝を礼拝せぬ者は、まことに我が喜ぶことをなす者ではない。
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Establishes subsidiary worship (aṅga-devatā/guardian veneration) within Śiva-pūjā: honoring Kīrtimukha/dvārapāla is declared pleasing to Śiva; neglect is framed as incomplete devotion.
Significance: Practical temple ethic: devotees honor guardians and liminal deities before entering; reinforces humility, protection, and ritual completeness (pūjā-sampatti).
Type: stotra
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that pleasing Shiva is not only personal devotion to him, but also reverence toward those whom Shiva holds dear; honoring Shiva’s beloved in the context of Shiva-puja becomes an expression of bhakti aligned with Shiva’s will.
In Saguna Shiva-arcana (including Linga worship), the Purana emphasizes proper devotional conduct: worship offered to Shiva should include respect for Shiva’s chosen associates/devotees, because such honor is counted by Shiva as part of his own worship.
As a practical takeaway: during Shiva-puja (especially on Mondays or Mahashivratri), worship Shiva with devotion and also offer respectful honor/service to Shiva’s devotees or sacred attendants; this devotional humility is presented as a direct means to please Shiva.