Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 49
जालन्धरस्य दूतप्रेषणम् — Jalandhara Sends an Envoy to Kailāsa
The Provocation of Śiva
मत्प्रियस्त्वं मदर्चायां सदा पूज्योऽहि मज्जनैः । त्वदर्चां ये न कुर्वंति नैव ते मत्प्रियंकराः
matpriyastvaṃ madarcāyāṃ sadā pūjyo'hi majjanaiḥ | tvadarcāṃ ye na kurvaṃti naiva te matpriyaṃkarāḥ
Ngươi là người thân ái đối với Ta; vì thế, trong sự thờ phụng Ta, các tín đồ của Ta phải luôn tôn kính và cúng dường ngươi. Kẻ nào không thực hành lễ bái đối với ngươi thì quả thật không phải là người làm điều khiến Ta hoan hỷ.
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Establishes subsidiary worship (aṅga-devatā/guardian veneration) within Śiva-pūjā: honoring Kīrtimukha/dvārapāla is declared pleasing to Śiva; neglect is framed as incomplete devotion.
Significance: Practical temple ethic: devotees honor guardians and liminal deities before entering; reinforces humility, protection, and ritual completeness (pūjā-sampatti).
Type: stotra
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that pleasing Shiva is not only personal devotion to him, but also reverence toward those whom Shiva holds dear; honoring Shiva’s beloved in the context of Shiva-puja becomes an expression of bhakti aligned with Shiva’s will.
In Saguna Shiva-arcana (including Linga worship), the Purana emphasizes proper devotional conduct: worship offered to Shiva should include respect for Shiva’s chosen associates/devotees, because such honor is counted by Shiva as part of his own worship.
As a practical takeaway: during Shiva-puja (especially on Mondays or Mahashivratri), worship Shiva with devotion and also offer respectful honor/service to Shiva’s devotees or sacred attendants; this devotional humility is presented as a direct means to please Shiva.