Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Meets Lord Śiva: Devotee as Living Tīrtha and the Lord’s Māyā
तस्मै सपर्यां व्यदधात् सगणाय सहोमया । स्वागतासनपाद्यार्घ्यगन्धस्रग्धूपदीपकै: ॥ १५ ॥
tasmai saparyāṁ vyadadhāt sa-gaṇāya sahomayā svāgatāsana-pādyārghya- gandha-srag-dhūpa-dīpakaiḥ
Mārkaṇḍeya menyembah Bhagavān Śiva bersama Umā dan para gaṇa, dengan mempersembahkan ucapan selamat datang, tempat duduk, air basuhan kaki, arghya, wangian, kalungan bunga, dupa dan pelita ārati.
This verse highlights traditional devotional hospitality—welcoming the guest and offering a seat, foot-washing water (pādya), arghya, fragrance, garlands, incense, and lamps—treating reception itself as worship.
They express honor and devotion through tangible service: cleanliness and respect (pādya/arghya) and reverent worship (gandha, flowers, incense, lamps), making the encounter sacred.
Welcome saints, elders, and guests respectfully; offer a clean place to sit, water, and sincere attention, and in home worship include simple offerings like fragrance, a flower, incense, and a lamp with devotion.