Shloka 59
Vaiśyanātha-avatāra-kathā
The Account of Śiva’s Manifestation as Vaiśyanātha
वेश्योवाच । न मे वाञ्छास्ति भोगेषु भूमौ स्वर्गे रसातले । तव पादाम्बुजस्पर्शादन्यत्किंचिन्न कामये
veśyovāca | na me vāñchāsti bhogeṣu bhūmau svarge rasātale | tava pādāmbujasparśādanyatkiṃcinna kāmaye
Die Kurtisane sprach: „Ich hege kein Verlangen nach Genüssen — weder auf Erden noch im Himmel noch selbst in Rasātala. Außer der Berührung Deiner lotosgleichen Füße begehre ich nichts.“
Veśyā (the courtesan devotee)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: The devotee’s rejection of bhoga across bhūḥ-svarga-rasātala and exclusive longing for Śiva’s pādāmbuja is a classic bhakti-topos; it is not presented as a Jyotirliṅga origin account.
Significance: Teaches vairāgya and single-pointed devotion: the highest ‘pilgrimage fruit’ is proximity to Śiva (pāda-sevā), not celestial enjoyments.
Type: stotra
FAQs
It expresses supreme vairāgya (dispassion) and ananya-bhakti (exclusive devotion): the devotee rejects worldly, heavenly, and subterranean pleasures and seeks only Shiva’s grace, symbolized by the touch of His lotus-feet—pointing toward liberation rather than reward.
Though Shiva is ultimately beyond attributes, the verse approaches Him in a Saguna mode—personally, through His “lotus-feet.” In Linga worship, this same intimacy is enacted by reverent upacāras (ablution, offering, and prostration), seeking Shiva’s presence and grace rather than mere boons.
Practice single-pointed devotion with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and daily namaskāra/prostration, mentally placing oneself at Shiva’s feet; let the intention be freedom from craving, not attainment of pleasures.