Shloka 15
Jaṭilāvatāra-Parīkṣā: Pārvatyāḥ Tapasāṃ Parīkṣaṇam
The Jaṭilā Episode and the Testing of Pārvatī’s Austerity
ततस्ता पार्वतीदेवी पूजितं परया मुदा । कुशलं पर्यपृच्छत्तं ब्रह्मचारिणमादरात्
tatastā pārvatīdevī pūjitaṃ parayā mudā | kuśalaṃ paryapṛcchattaṃ brahmacāriṇamādarāt
Kemudian Dewi Pārvatī, setelah memuja baginda dengan sukacita yang luhur dan penuh hormat, dengan sopan bertanya tentang kesejahteraan brahmacārin itu.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Bhikṣāṭana
Sthala Purana: No Jyotirliṅga; the verse emphasizes dharmic inquiry and respectful speech to the holy guest—an interpersonal ritual that invites divine grace.
Significance: Models sādhaka conduct: after pūjā, one asks the guru/atithi’s welfare (kuśala-praśna), cultivating humility and receptivity to instruction/boon.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: teaching
Cosmic Event: Anugraha matures through dialogue: respectful inquiry is the threshold to upadeśa (teaching) and eventual self-revelation.
FAQs
It highlights Shaiva dharma through Pārvatī’s humility and devotion: honoring a holy ascetic and asking after his welfare, showing that reverence (ādara) and service (pūjā) purify the heart and support the path toward Shiva’s grace.
In Shaiva practice, honoring Shiva’s devotees and ascetics is treated as an extension of Saguna worship—service offered to the saintly is considered service offered to Shiva, strengthening bhakti that culminates in deeper realization.
The takeaway is devotional etiquette: perform pūjā with sincere joy, maintain respectful speech, and cultivate brahmacarya-like self-restraint; these support japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and steadiness in worship.