Shloka 65
Niṣādasya Bhillasya Itihāsaḥ — Śivarātri-vrata-prabhāvaḥ
The Hunter’s Account and the Efficacy of the Śivarātri Observance
शिवहीनं मुखं यस्य नोपकर्ता क्षमोऽपि सन् । पर्वणि श्रीफलस्यैव त्रोटनेऽभक्ष्यभक्षणे
śivahīnaṃ mukhaṃ yasya nopakartā kṣamo'pi san | parvaṇi śrīphalasyaiva troṭane'bhakṣyabhakṣaṇe
ولو كان المرء قادرًا في غير ذلك، فإنّ من خلا فمُه من ذكر شيفا لا يقدر أن يكون نافعًا حقًّا؛ كمَن في يومٍ مباركٍ يشقّ جوزَ الهند ثم يأكل ما لا يحلّ أكله، فيغدو فعله أجوفَ غيرَ لائق.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Significance: Teaches that speech and service become spiritually efficacious only when rooted in Śiva-smaraṇa; otherwise even ‘auspicious’ acts are hollow—like ritual without inner devotion.
Type: stotra
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It teaches that mere competence or outward religiosity is spiritually unfruitful without Śiva-smaraṇa (remembrance of Śiva). Speech and action become truly beneficial only when rooted in devotion to Pati (Śiva), aligning conduct with dharma.
Linga/Saguṇa worship is not just external offering; it requires the devotee’s mouth to be ‘with Śiva’—reciting His names, mantra, and praise. Without that inner orientation, ritual acts resemble an auspicious-looking gesture that becomes improper due to wrong intention or conduct.
Maintain Śiva-nāma and mantra-japa—especially the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—so that speech remains sanctified. Let festival or pilgrimage worship be accompanied by disciplined conduct (avoiding ‘abhakṣya’ in a broader sense: forbidden, harmful, or impure habits).