Shloka 21
अत्रीश्वरमाहात्म्यवर्णनम् (Atrīśvara-māhātmya-varṇanam) — “Account of the Greatness of Atrīśvara”
तदुक्तं तत्समाकर्ण्य नेतिनेति प्रियान्तदा । तामुवाच पुनः सोऽपि जलं नीतं कुतस्त्वया
taduktaṃ tatsamākarṇya netineti priyāntadā | tāmuvāca punaḥ so'pi jalaṃ nītaṃ kutastvayā
ครั้นได้ฟังดังนั้น นางผู้เป็นที่รักจึงกล่าวในกาลนั้นว่า “ไม่ใช่ ไม่ใช่” แล้วเขาจึงกล่าวถามนางอีกว่า “เจ้าพาน้ำนี้มาจากที่ใด?”
Suta Goswami (narrating the dialogue within the Kotirudrasaṃhitā episode)
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Within the Koṭirudrasaṃhitā narrative frame, the exchange turns on the provenance and purity/appropriateness of “water” brought for a rite; the questioning functions as a test of ritual correctness and inner intention rather than a fixed Jyotirliṅga origin episode.
Significance: Emphasizes discernment (viveka) in observance: offerings must be sourced and offered with right knowledge; this supports the Siddhānta stress on śuddhi (purity) as a condition for śivānugraha.
FAQs
The verse highlights mindful discernment in sacred action: even a simple offering like water is questioned for its source and purity, reflecting the Shaiva emphasis that sincere devotion (bhakti) must be joined with right conduct and clarity.
In Kotirudra narratives, water commonly signifies abhiṣeka and service to Saguna Shiva as Linga; asking “from where is this water?” points to the sanctity of offerings used in Linga worship and the devotee’s responsibility to offer what is fitting.
A practical takeaway is careful preparation for jalābhiṣeka—using clean, respectfully obtained water while maintaining a focused mind with Shiva-remembrance (e.g., silent japa of the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”).