Shloka 39
मित्रसह-राज्ञो रक्षत्व-शापकथा — The Curse that Turns King Mitrasaha into a Rakshasa
Vasiṣṭha’s Śāpa Narrative
सूत उवाच । इति राज्ञा समादिष्टो गौतमः करुणार्द्रधीः । समादिदेश घोराणामघानां साधु निष्कृतिम्
sūta uvāca | iti rājñā samādiṣṭo gautamaḥ karuṇārdradhīḥ | samādideśa ghorāṇāmaghānāṃ sādhu niṣkṛtim
Sūta said: Thus commanded by the king, Gautama—whose mind was softened with compassion—then prescribed the proper expiation for those dreadful sins.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Sthala Purana: Sets up the transition from moral bondage (pāśa as pāpa/adharma) to remedial means (niṣkṛti) under a compassionate ṛṣi; the specific kṣetra is introduced in subsequent verses.
Significance: Highlights dharma-guided expiation as a preparatory purification before deeper refuge in Śiva; frames compassion (karuṇā) as the proper spirit of śāstraic guidance.
FAQs
It highlights that even grave wrongdoing is not beyond remedy when guided by a compassionate sage and approached through righteous expiation—redirecting the soul toward Shiva-centered purification and dharma.
In the Kotirudra context, expiation commonly culminates in turning to Saguna Shiva—often through Linga worship and pilgrimage—because Shiva’s grace is presented as the decisive purifier when paired with sincere repentance and prescribed rites.
The verse points to prayashchitta under scriptural guidance; in Shaiva practice this is typically supported by japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and disciplined observances that purify conduct and mind.