Shloka 60
Niṣādasya Bhillasya Itihāsaḥ — Śivarātri-vrata-prabhāvaḥ
The Hunter’s Account and the Efficacy of the Śivarātri Observance
व्याध उवाच । ये ये समागताश्चात्र तेते सर्वे त्वया यथा । कथयित्वा गता ह्यत्र नायान्त्यद्यापि वंचकाः
vyādha uvāca | ye ye samāgatāścātra tete sarve tvayā yathā | kathayitvā gatā hyatra nāyāntyadyāpi vaṃcakāḥ
Der Jäger sagte: „Alle, die hierher kamen—jeder einzelne—wurden von dir, wie es sich ziemt, angesprochen und gingen dann fort. Doch bis heute kehren jene Betrüger nicht hierher zurück.“
Vyadha (the hunter)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Rudra
Significance: Warns against vañcanā (deception) as a form of pāśa: it perpetuates concealment (tirodhāna) by keeping beings in mistrust and karmic entanglement; encourages satya and straightforwardness as Śiva-priya virtues.
FAQs
It highlights viveka (discernment): spiritual life and pilgrimage require truthfulness and sincerity, while deceit leads to instability and loss of trust—an obstacle to bhakti and right conduct.
Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana emphasizes inner integrity (śuddha-bhāva). The verse contrasts genuine seekers—who receive instruction and act rightly—with “deceivers,” implying that Shiva’s grace is best approached through honest devotion rather than manipulation.
A practical takeaway is satya and niyama in worship: keep one’s vrata, repeat the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with steadiness, and perform Linga-pūjā with clean intention rather than outward show.