Shloka 31
Jaṭilāvatāra-Parīkṣā: Pārvatyāḥ Tapasāṃ Parīkṣaṇam
The Jaṭilā Episode and the Testing of Pārvatī’s Austerity
नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्येवं वचनं श्रुत्वा पार्वत्या हि सुनिश्चितम् । मुने स जटिलो रुद्रो विहसन्वाक्यमब्रवीत्
nandīśvara uvāca | ityevaṃ vacanaṃ śrutvā pārvatyā hi suniścitam | mune sa jaṭilo rudro vihasanvākyamabravīt
नंदीश्वर म्हणाले—हे मुने! पार्वतीचे दृढनिश्चयी वचन ऐकून, जटाधारी रुद्र हसत वचन बोलू लागले.
Nandīśvara (Nandi)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Sthala Purana: Narrative transition: Nandīśvara reports that Rudra, the jaṭila ascetic, smiles and begins instruction/response—anugraha initiating after steadfast resolve.
Significance: Highlights the moment grace turns toward the seeker: Śiva’s smile (prasāda) as the threshold of anugraha; Nandī as guru-like mediator for devotees.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: liberating
FAQs
It highlights steadfast sankalpa (firm spiritual resolve) in the seeker (Pārvatī) and the compassionate, approachable nature of Pati (Rudra), who responds with grace—an important Shaiva Siddhānta theme of the Lord guiding the soul toward maturity.
Rudra appearing as a jaṭila ascetic emphasizes Saguna Shiva—Shiva who takes accessible forms for devotees. Such narrative moments prepare the ground for instruction in worship, where devotion and resolve precede formal practices like Liṅga-pūjā.
The implied practice is cultivating niścaya (firm intent) before Shiva-upāsanā—taking a clear vow to maintain japa (e.g., Pañcākṣarī ‘Om Namaḥ Śivāya’) and disciplined worship, as the Lord responds to sincere determination.