Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 26
Dāruvana-parīkṣā: Śaṅkara’s Test and the Linga’s Ritual-Theological Grounding
विरुद्ध्यैवं शिवं देवं कुशलं कस्समीहते । मध्याह्नसमये यो वै नातिथिं च परामृशेत्
viruddhyaivaṃ śivaṃ devaṃ kuśalaṃ kassamīhate | madhyāhnasamaye yo vai nātithiṃ ca parāmṛśet
ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇਵਾਧਿਦੇਵ ਸ਼ਿਵ ਦਾ ਵਿਰੋਧ ਕਰਕੇ ਕੌਣ ਭਲਾ-ਚੰਗਾ ਹੋਣ ਦੀ ਆਸ ਕਰ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ? ਜੋ ਦੁਪਹਿਰ ਵੇਲੇ ਅਤਿਥੀ ਦਾ ਯਥੋਚਿਤ ਸਤਿਕਾਰ ਤੇ ਸਵਾਗਤ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਦਾ, ਉਹ ਨਿੰਦਾ ਦਾ ਭਾਗੀ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Role: nurturing
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
The verse links auspiciousness (kuśala) with alignment to Śiva and dharma: opposing Śiva and neglecting righteous conduct—like honouring guests—undermines spiritual welfare and blocks grace.
In Saguna Śiva worship, devotion is not isolated from conduct; reverence to Śiva is expressed through dharmic living. Atithi-sevā is treated as a practical extension of Śiva-bhakti, supporting purity and receptivity to Śiva’s blessings.
The implied practice is atithi-sevā at midday—receiving a guest with respect, offering water/food, and maintaining a dharmic routine—performed as an offering to Śiva alongside regular pūjā, mantra-japa, and other Shaiva observances.