Shloka 22
दशशैवव्रतप्रश्नः — Inquiry into the Ten Principal Śaiva Vratas
निष्कामानां सकामानां सर्वेषां च नृणान्तथा । वर्णानामाश्रमाणां च स्त्रीबालानां तथा हरे
niṣkāmānāṃ sakāmānāṃ sarveṣāṃ ca nṛṇāntathā | varṇānāmāśramāṇāṃ ca strībālānāṃ tathā hare
O Hari, this holy observance and worship is for all people alike—those without desire and those with desire; for everyone everywhere; for all varṇas and all āśramas, and likewise for women and children as well.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana discourse to the sages, within Kotirudrasaṃhitā’s Jyotirlinga-centered context)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: This verse functions as a dharma-eligibility (adhikāra) statement within a Jyotirliṅga-oriented vrata-kathā: Śiva’s worship/vow is presented as universally accessible, not restricted by varṇa/āśrama or gender/age distinctions.
Significance: Affirms that approach to Śiva (Pati) and reception of grace (anugraha) is open to all embodied souls (paśu), supporting inclusive vrata-performance and darśana/arcana at liṅga-kṣetras.
FAQs
It declares Shiva-oriented dharma as universally accessible—both niṣkāma seekers aiming for liberation and sakāma devotees seeking righteous prosperity can approach the Lord, beyond restrictive boundaries of varṇa, āśrama, gender, or age.
In the Kotirudrasaṃhitā’s pilgrimage-and-Jyotirlinga setting, it supports the principle that Saguna Shiva worship through the Linga is open to everyone, making devotion and grace—not social status—the decisive factor.
The takeaway is inclusive practice: any devotee may worship Shiva with devotion—especially through simple Linga-pūjā and japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya)—according to one’s capacity and dharmic conduct.