Shloka 17
Gautama–Ahalyā-Upākhyāna: Durbhikṣa, Tapas, and Varuṇa’s Boon (गौतमाहल्योपाख्यानम्)
अथोवाच मुनिं देवो वरुणो हि जलाधिपः । गौतमं मुनिशार्दूलं परोपकृतिशालिनम्
athovāca muniṃ devo varuṇo hi jalādhipaḥ | gautamaṃ muniśārdūlaṃ paropakṛtiśālinam
បន្ទាប់មក ព្រះវរុណៈ ព្រះអម្ចាស់នៃទឹក បានមានព្រះវាចាទៅកាន់មុនីគោតម—ជាអ្នកឃើញដ៏លើសលប់ ជាសីហ៍ក្នុងចំណោមមុនី—ដែលសម្បូរគុណធម៌នៃការធ្វើប្រយោជន៍ដល់អ្នកដទៃ។
Suta Goswami (narrating the episode; the direct speaker within the verse is Varuna)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: The narrative praises Gautama’s paropakāra (beneficence), a hallmark of tīrtha-founders: sacred acts are validated by their capacity to benefit others, not merely personal gain.
Significance: Elevates ‘service to others’ as a Śaiva virtue: worship that becomes loka-hita aligns the devotee with Śiva’s compassionate lordship.
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse sanctifies the ideal Shaiva virtue of paropakāra (selfless benefit to others): a purified heart becomes fit to receive divine instruction, which ultimately supports devotion to Pati (Shiva) and liberation.
Though the verse names Varuṇa, it frames a sacred dialogue that typically leads into tīrtha and Jyotirliṅga contexts in the Koṭirudrasaṃhitā—where Saguna Shiva is approached through pilgrimage, worship, and reverence for sanctified waters used in abhiṣeka.
A practical takeaway is to cultivate paropakāra alongside worship: perform Shiva abhiṣeka with pure water, recite the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and dedicate the merit for the welfare of all beings.