Shloka 49
दधीचाश्रमगमनम् — Viṣṇu’s Disguise and Dadhīca’s Fearlessness
Kṣu’s Request
ब्रह्मोवाच । एवं शप्त्वा सुरान् प्रेक्ष्य क्षुवमाह ततो मुनिः । देवैश्च पूज्यो राजेन्द्र नृपैश्चैव द्विजोत्तमः
brahmovāca | evaṃ śaptvā surān prekṣya kṣuvamāha tato muniḥ | devaiśca pūjyo rājendra nṛpaiścaiva dvijottamaḥ
พระพรหมตรัสว่า—ครั้นสาปเหล่าเทพแล้ว มุนีมองดูพวกเขาและกล่าวแก่กษุวะว่า “ข้าแต่ราชันผู้ประเสริฐ พราหมณ์ผู้เลิศนี้ควรแก่การบูชา ทั้งโดยเหล่าเทพและโดยพระราชาทั้งหลาย”
Brahmā
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: This verse sits inside the Dadhīci episode that culminates in the emergence of the Sthāneśvara tīrtha; it frames the social-theological hierarchy where devas and kings must honor the brahmarṣi, foreshadowing the tīrtha’s salvific fame.
Significance: Honoring the saintly (brahmarṣi) is presented as dharma that neutralizes deva–nṛpa pride; the narrative prepares the listener for the tīrtha’s promise of Śiva-sāyujya.
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
The verse upholds dharma by declaring that true spiritual authority rests with realized sages and exemplary Brāhmaṇas; even devas and kings must honour them, reminding seekers that humility and reverence for wisdom support auspicious order and inner purification.
In the Shiva Purana’s devotional framework, respect for the guru, sages, and dharmic custodians is a limb of proper Shiva-bhakti; such honour purifies the devotee and stabilizes the attitude needed for Saguna Shiva worship (including Linga-pūjā) to bear spiritual fruit.
The practical takeaway is sevā and namaskāra to the worthy—honouring saints and teachers before worship; this can be paired with daily Shiva-upāsanā such as japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with a respectful, disciplined mind.