Shloka 14
Niṣādasya Bhillasya Itihāsaḥ — Śivarātri-vrata-prabhāvaḥ
The Hunter’s Account and the Efficacy of the Śivarātri Observance
अवश्यमत्र कश्चिद्वै जीवश्चैवागमिष्यति । तं हत्वा स्वगृहं प्रीत्या यास्यामि कृतकार्यकः
avaśyamatra kaścidvai jīvaścaivāgamiṣyati | taṃ hatvā svagṛhaṃ prītyā yāsyāmi kṛtakāryakaḥ
„Gewiss wird irgendein lebendes Wesen hierher kommen. Wenn ich es erschlagen habe, kehre ich zufrieden in mein Haus zurück, mein Vorhaben ist vollbracht.“
An unnamed character (a hostile aggressor) as narrated by Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; this verse sets up the karmic-intent (hiṃsā-saṅkalpa) that will be overturned by Śiva’s hidden grace in the bilva-tree/leaf-offering narrative.
Significance: Didactic: even grave pāśa (bondage) rooted in violence can be cut when Śiva converts accidental acts into worship, leading toward anugraha.
FAQs
It exposes the bondage (pāśa) created by violent intention: when a jīva plans harm with pride and “mission accomplished” thinking, it deepens karmic fetters and turns the mind away from Shiva-centered dharma and liberation.
Kotirudrasaṃhitā frames human actions around sacred tirthas and Jyotirlinga glory; this verse contrasts that sanctifying Shiva-bhakti with adharmic conduct, implying that true approach to Saguna Shiva is through restraint, devotion, and purity rather than cruelty.
A practical takeaway is to counter harmful impulses with Shiva-smaraṇa—japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and cultivating ahiṃsā—so the jīva moves from pasha (bondage) toward Pati (Shiva).