Shloka 30
Śiva-Naivedya-Grāhyatā-Nirṇayaḥ
On the Proper Acceptance and Merit of Śiva’s Consecrated Food-Offering
बिल्वमूले शिवरतं भोजयेद्यस्तु भक्तितः । एकं वा कोटिगुणितं तस्य पुण्यं प्रजायते
bilvamūle śivarataṃ bhojayedyastu bhaktitaḥ | ekaṃ vā koṭiguṇitaṃ tasya puṇyaṃ prajāyate
Sesiapa yang dengan bhakti memberi makan seorang bhakta yang tenggelam dalam Śiva di kaki pokok bilva—walau hanya sekali—mendapat pahala yang berlipat ganda hingga satu krore kali.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Role: nurturing
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It teaches that bhakti expressed as seva—feeding a Shiva-devotee in a sacred Shiva-associated space (the bilva tree)—creates immense punya, because honoring the devotee is honoring Shiva (Pati) who dwells in and through His worship.
The bilva tree is a classic Saguna symbol in Shiva-puja; serving Shiva’s devotee at the bilva’s foot is treated as an extension of Linga-worship—external worship culminating in compassionate action aligned with Shiva’s presence.
Perform annadāna (offering food) with devotion to a Shiva-bhakta near a bilva tree, ideally alongside simple Shiva-puja such as offering bilva leaves and japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya).