Shloka 23
चाण्डालीसद्गतिवर्णनम् (Cāṇḍālī-sadgati-varṇanam) — “Account of the Cāṇḍālī’s Attainment of a Good Destiny”
कदाचित्साथ चांडाली गोकर्णं तं महाजनान् । आयास्यंत्यां शिवतिथौ गच्छतो बुबुधेऽन्वगान्
kadācitsātha cāṃḍālī gokarṇaṃ taṃ mahājanān | āyāsyaṃtyāṃ śivatithau gacchato bubudhe'nvagān
ذات مرةٍ، امرأةٌ من الشاندالي، عازمةٌ على قصد غوكرنا المقدّسة في يومٍ مبارك من أيام شيفا (تيثي)، رأت جمعًا غفيرًا من الناس منطلقين فسارت خلفهم تتبعهم.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Kotirudra Saṃhitā pilgrimage account to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Gokarṇa-kṣetra is approached on a Śiva-tithi; the narrative emphasizes that even socially marginalized beings gain access to Śiva’s grace through pilgrimage association (saṅga) and intent (bhāva).
Significance: Pilgrimage on Śiva-tithi amplifies puṇya; following the devotees becomes a conduit for anugraha, foreshadowing upliftment of the bound soul regardless of birth-status.
FAQs
It highlights that sincere intention to approach a Śiva-kṣetra on a Śiva holy day draws one into the current of devotion; the path of Śiva-bhakti is open even to those socially marginalized, emphasizing inner purity and grace over mere status.
Gokarṇa is a famed Śaiva pilgrimage center associated with Liṅga worship; the verse sets the narrative frame of pilgrims moving toward Saguna Śiva in the form of the Liṅga, where darśana and worship become means for purification and upliftment.
Observe a Śiva-tithi with pilgrimage or focused worship: recite the Pañcākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), maintain śauca (cleanliness) and bhakti, and perform simple offerings to the Liṅga with a steady, reverent mind.