दारुवनलीला—नीललोहितपरीक्षा, ब्रह्मोपदेशः, अतिथिधर्मः, संन्यासक्रमः
अन्यथा नास्ति संतर्तुं गृहस्थैश् च द्विजोत्तमैः त्यक्त्वा चातिथिपूजां ताम् आत्मनो भुवि शोधनम्
anyathā nāsti saṃtartuṃ gṛhasthaiś ca dvijottamaiḥ tyaktvā cātithipūjāṃ tām ātmano bhuvi śodhanam
Para sa mga maybahay—lalo na sa mga pinakadakila sa mga dwija—wala nang ibang daan upang makatawid nang ligtas. Ang pagtalikod sa pagsamba sa panauhin (atithi-pūjā) ay, sa mundong ito, pagdungis sa sariling pagkatao.
Suta Goswami (narrating dharma-teachings within the Linga Purana discourse to the sages at Naimisharanya)
It grounds Linga-oriented life in dharmic purity: for a householder, honoring guests is treated as a necessary purifier of karma, supporting eligibility (adhikāra) for Shiva-puja and for crossing saṃsāra.
Indirectly: Shiva as Pati is approached not only by ritual but by inner and outer śuddhi; neglecting dharma increases pasha (bondage), while purification supports the soul’s (pashu’s) turning toward Shiva.
Atithi-pūjā (guest-honoring) as a daily grihastha discipline that purifies conduct and karma—an ethical foundation that complements Shaiva sādhanā and prepares the mind for worship and yoga.