Shloka 4
Śiva-Naivedya-Grāhyatā-Nirṇayaḥ
On the Proper Acceptance and Merit of Śiva’s Consecrated Food-Offering
दृष्ट्वापि शिवनैवेद्ये यांति पापानि दूरतः । भक्ते तु शिवनैवेद्ये पुण्यान्या यांति कोटिशः
dṛṣṭvāpi śivanaivedye yāṃti pāpāni dūrataḥ | bhakte tu śivanaivedye puṇyānyā yāṃti koṭiśaḥ
சிவனுக்கு அர்ப்பணித்த நைவேத்யத்தை வெறும் தரிசனம் செய்தாலே பாவங்கள் தூரம் ஓடுகின்றன. ஆனால் பக்தியுடன் அந்த சிவ-நைவேத்யப் பிரசாதத்தை உண்டால் கோடிக்கணக்கான புண்ணியங்கள் உண்டாகின்றன.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: General jyotirliṅga/Śiva-kṣetra logic: mere darśana of Śiva’s sanctified offering is said to drive away pāpa; sevana (devotional consumption) multiplies puṇya.
Significance: Frames prasāda-darśana and prasāda-sevā as accessible means of purification for householders and pilgrims alike.
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva’s grace is so purifying that even darśana of His offering dispels pāpa, while devoted reception of Śiva-prasāda generates immense puṇya—showing bhakti as the chief purifier.
In Liṅga/Saguṇa worship, naivedya is offered to Śiva as the Lord present and approachable; the verse highlights that the consecrated offering becomes prasāda carrying Śiva’s anugraha (grace), transforming the devotee’s karmic condition.
Perform Śiva-pūjā with naivedya, take darśana of the offered item, then receive it as Śiva-prasāda with reverence while remembering the Pañcākṣara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya).