Shloka 17
Gautama–Ahalyā-Upākhyāna: Durbhikṣa, Tapas, and Varuṇa’s Boon (गौतमाहल्योपाख्यानम्)
अथोवाच मुनिं देवो वरुणो हि जलाधिपः । गौतमं मुनिशार्दूलं परोपकृतिशालिनम्
athovāca muniṃ devo varuṇo hi jalādhipaḥ | gautamaṃ muniśārdūlaṃ paropakṛtiśālinam
ତାପରେ ଜଳାଧିପତି ଦେବ ବରୁଣ, ପରୋପକାରଗୁଣରେ ସମୃଦ୍ଧ, ମୁନିମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ‘ମୁନିଶାର୍ଦୂଳ’ ଗୌତମ ଋଷିଙ୍କୁ ସମ୍ବୋଧନ କଲେ।
Suta Goswami (narrating the episode; the direct speaker within the verse is Varuna)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: The narrative praises Gautama’s paropakāra (beneficence), a hallmark of tīrtha-founders: sacred acts are validated by their capacity to benefit others, not merely personal gain.
Significance: Elevates ‘service to others’ as a Śaiva virtue: worship that becomes loka-hita aligns the devotee with Śiva’s compassionate lordship.
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse sanctifies the ideal Shaiva virtue of paropakāra (selfless benefit to others): a purified heart becomes fit to receive divine instruction, which ultimately supports devotion to Pati (Shiva) and liberation.
Though the verse names Varuṇa, it frames a sacred dialogue that typically leads into tīrtha and Jyotirliṅga contexts in the Koṭirudrasaṃhitā—where Saguna Shiva is approached through pilgrimage, worship, and reverence for sanctified waters used in abhiṣeka.
A practical takeaway is to cultivate paropakāra alongside worship: perform Shiva abhiṣeka with pure water, recite the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and dedicate the merit for the welfare of all beings.