Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 1
गौतमविघ्नप्रकरणम्
Episode of Obstacles to Gautama; Gaṇeśa’s Appearing Through Misguided Worship
सूत उवाच । कदाचिद्गौतमेनैव जलार्थं प्रेषिता निजाः । शिष्यास्तत्र गता भक्त्या कमंडलुकरा द्विजाः
sūta uvāca | kadācidgautamenaiva jalārthaṃ preṣitā nijāḥ | śiṣyāstatra gatā bhaktyā kamaṃḍalukarā dvijāḥ
سوت نے کہا—ایک بار گوتَم نے اپنے شاگردوں کو پانی لانے کے لیے بھیجا۔ وہ دوِج شاگرد عقیدت کے ساتھ ہاتھ میں کمندلو لیے وہاں گئے۔
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: The water-fetching mission initiates the causal chain (nimitta) for a later sacred manifestation: ordinary āśrama necessity (jala) becomes the narrative hinge for testing humility, order, and the need for Śiva’s anugraha.
Significance: Teaches sevā-bhakti and guru-ājñā as sādhana: disciples acting with bhakti in simple duties is valorized as caryā leading toward higher realization.
FAQs
It highlights disciplined devotional service (bhakti) within a dharmic life: even a simple act like fetching water becomes sacred when performed with reverence and purity—an attitude central to Shaiva practice.
In Kotirudra contexts, water is closely associated with Shiva worship through jala-abhisheka to the Linga; the verse sets a devotional tone where sacred substances and obedient service support Saguna Shiva worship and inner purification.
A practical takeaway is to perform water-offering (jala-abhisheka) with bhakti and cleanliness, mentally remembering Shiva—ideally with the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya)—while keeping one’s actions disciplined and sattvic.