Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 47
गणेशाभिषेक-वरदान-विधानम् | Gaṇeśa’s Consecration, Boons, and Prescribed Worship
पश्चाद्विप्रांश्च संपूज्य भोजयेन्मधुरैर्मुदा । स्वयं चैव ततो भुंज्यान्मधुरं लवणं विना
paścādviprāṃśca saṃpūjya bhojayenmadhurairmudā | svayaṃ caiva tato bhuṃjyānmadhuraṃ lavaṇaṃ vinā
पश्चाद्विप्रान् समभ्यर्च्य भोजयेन्मधुरैर्मुदा। स्वयं च ततः भुञ्जीत मधुरं लवणं विना॥
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the prescribed rite within the Kumārakhaṇḍa context)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Role: nurturing
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva-worship is completed by humility and service: honoring and feeding the worthy (especially brāhmaṇas) and then practicing personal restraint. In Shaiva Siddhānta terms, such disciplined action purifies the pashu (the bound soul) and reduces pasha (bondage) through right conduct.
After Linga/Saguna-Śiva pūjā, the rite flows into annadāna and respectful hospitality, expressing devotion in action. Serving Śiva’s devotees and maintaining purity in food are extensions of Linga-pūjā, reinforcing that devotion is not only mantra and offerings but also dharmic conduct.
A practical vrata-guideline is indicated: feed brāhmaṇas with sweet offerings and then partake of sweet food oneself while avoiding salt—an act of dietary restraint supporting purity, steadiness in worship, and sense-control.