Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 20
देवशरणागति-नारदप्रेषणम् | The Devas Take Refuge in Śiva; Nārada Is Sent
अथागतं मुनिश्रेष्ठं दृष्ट्वा देवो जलंधरः । उत्थाय परया भक्त्या ददौ श्रेष्ठासनं वरम्
athāgataṃ muniśreṣṭhaṃ dṛṣṭvā devo jalaṃdharaḥ | utthāya parayā bhaktyā dadau śreṣṭhāsanaṃ varam
ครั้นเห็นมุนีผู้ประเสริฐมาถึง ชลันธระผู้ดุจเทพก็ลุกขึ้นยืน แล้วด้วยภักติอันยิ่งได้ถวายอาสนะอันเลิศและทรงเกียรติแก่ท่าน
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
The verse highlights dharma expressed as reverence to realized sages; honoring a muni with humility and devotion is treated as a purifier of ego and a support for spiritual merit, aligning with Shaiva ethics that service to the holy strengthens bhakti and inner refinement.
In Shaiva tradition, devotion is not limited to ritual before the Linga; it also includes honoring Shiva’s devotees and saints. Respecting a muni is an extension of Saguna Shiva-bhakti, since the guru-sage is revered as a carrier of Shiva’s grace and knowledge.
It suggests atithi-seva (welcoming the worthy guest) as a daily dharmic practice—rising with humility, offering a seat and respect—paired with a devotional attitude; one may mentally dedicate such service to Shiva with the remembrance of the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya.”