Shloka 61
मेना-हिमालयसंवादः
Menā’s Counsel to Himālaya; Response to Slander of Śiva
यथाग्रतश्च तान्कृत्वा धन्या मम गृहाश्रमः । इत्युक्त्वासनमानीय ददौ भक्तिपुरस्सरम्
yathāgrataśca tānkṛtvā dhanyā mama gṛhāśramaḥ | ityuktvāsanamānīya dadau bhaktipurassaram
«ដោយដាក់ពួកគាត់ឲ្យសមរម្យនៅខាងមុខ ខ្ញុំមានជីវិតគ្រួសារដ៏មានពរ»។ និយាយដូច្នេះ នាងបាននាំកៅអីមក ហើយប្រគេនដោយសទ្ធាដ៏ជាមុខមាត់។
Suta Goswami (narrating the Parvati Khanda episode to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Hospitality (atithi-satkāra) in the Himavān household is depicted as dharma that sanctifies the gṛhāśrama; it is not tied to a specific jyotirliṅga episode here.
Significance: Serving realized beings is portrayed as equal to tīrtha-sevā; it accrues puṇya and invites divine favor.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It teaches that bhakti is not only inner contemplation but is proven through reverent action—humble service and proper honoring—making even household life a blessed path aligned with Shiva’s grace.
In Shaiva tradition, devotion to Saguna Shiva is expressed through tangible offerings and respectful preparation (āsana, upacāra). The same devotional attitude that serves a revered presence also supports Linga-upāsanā through disciplined, heartfelt hospitality and offering.
Practice atithi-sevā as a form of worship: prepare a clean seat and offer water and respectful words with bhakti; internally repeat the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while serving, treating service itself as Shiva-arpaṇa.