Shloka 30
Gautama–Ahalyā-Upākhyāna: Durbhikṣa, Tapas, and Varuṇa’s Boon (गौतमाहल्योपाख्यानम्)
तच्छुत्वा ऋषयश्चान्ये तत्राया तास्सहस्रशः । पशवः पक्षिणश्चान्ये जीवाश्च बहवोऽगमन्
tacchutvā ṛṣayaścānye tatrāyā tāssahasraśaḥ | paśavaḥ pakṣiṇaścānye jīvāśca bahavo'gaman
এই কথা শুনি আন আন ঋষিও সহস্ৰ সংখ্যাত তাত আহিল; পশু-পক্ষী আৰু বহু অন্য জীৱও তাত উপস্থিত হ’ল।
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: The influx of sages, animals, birds, and many beings suggests a ‘Paśupati-field’ where diverse life is drawn to sanctity; not explicitly mapped here to a Jyotirliṅga site.
Significance: Depicts the magnetic pull of a holy kṣetra: association (saṅga) with sanctity benefits all beings, implying grace extends beyond human ritualists.
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse highlights Shiva’s universal grace: when sacred news of Shiva’s presence or glory spreads, not only learned sages but all beings are drawn toward it—showing that bhakti and divine attraction are not limited by birth or species.
In Kotirudra themes, holy sites and Jyotirlingas embody Saguna Shiva’s accessible presence; this verse reflects how such a manifest focus of worship naturally gathers devotees and even non-human life toward darśana and sanctity.
It supports pilgrimage and saṅga (holy company): hearing Shiva-kathā, going for darśana, and remembering Shiva through japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) as one approaches a sacred place.