Shloka 14

Jaṭilāvatāra-Parīkṣā: Pārvatyāḥ Tapasāṃ Parīkṣaṇam

The Jaṭilā Episode and the Testing of Pārvatī’s Austerity

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मचर्य्यधरं वृद्धं जटिलं सकमण्डलुम् । अपूजयत्परप्रीत्या सर्वपूजोपहारकैः

Transliteration

brahmacaryyadharaṃ vṛddhaṃ jaṭilaṃ sakamaṇḍalum | apūjayatparaprītyā sarvapūjopahārakaiḥ

Translation

Dengan hormat yang mendalam, dia memuja pertapa tua itu—teguh memelihara brahmacarya, berambut jata, dan membawa kamaṇḍalu (bekas air)—seraya mempersembahkan segala upacara dan persembahan yang lazim.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मचर्यधरम्: one who bears/observes celibacy
• ब्रह्मचर्यधरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मचर्य-धर (प्रातिपदिक; ब्रह्मचर्य + धर)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; विशेषण-प्रयोगः (acc. sg. neut.)

• वृद्धम्: aged, old
• वृद्धम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• जटिलम्: matted-haired
• जटिलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जटिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• सकमण्डलुम्: with a water-pot (kamaṇḍalu)
• सकमण्डलुम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स-कमण्डलु (प्रातिपदिक; स + कमण्डलु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम्; 'स' = सह/युक्त (with)

• अपूजयत्: (she/he) worshipped
• अपूजयत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पूज् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/past), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• परप्रीत्या: with supreme delight
• परप्रीत्या: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर-प्रीति (प्रातिपदिक; परा + प्रीति)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन; साधन/हेतु-भावः (by/with great joy)

• सर्वपूजोपहारकैः: with all worship-offerings
• सर्वपूजोपहारकैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व-पूजा-उपहारक (प्रातिपदिक; सर्व + पूजा + उपहारक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन; साधनम् (instrumental plural)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Bhikṣāṭana

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: No Jyotirliṅga; the verse depicts pūjā to the disguised Lord, illustrating how grace (anugraha) is accessed through humility and honoring the holy.

Significance: Teaches atithi-sevā and guru-bhāva: honoring the ascetic/guru is tantamount to honoring Śiva, yielding spiritual merit and readiness for revelation.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Anugraha begins to surface through ritualized honoring: the Lord’s concealment is met by the devotee’s correct response (pūjā), triggering the arc toward disclosure.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

The verse teaches that sincere devotion expresses itself as humility and reverent service to the holy—honoring disciplined ascetics is a dharmic act that purifies the mind and supports Shaiva pursuit of liberation.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

In Shaiva practice, honoring Shiva’s devotees and renunciants is treated as an extension of Saguna Shiva worship—service (sevā) and offerings (upahāra) cultivate the same bhakti that later becomes focused in Linga-pūjā.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice respectful hospitality and guru-sevā: offer water, seat, food, and appropriate honors with devotion; inwardly maintain a disciplined mind (brahmacarya-like restraint) as a supportive vow for mantra-japa and worship.