Shloka 87
दशशैवव्रतप्रश्नः — Inquiry into the Ten Principal Śaiva Vratas
सूत उवाच । इति शिववचनं निशम्य विष्णुर्हिततरमद्भुतमाजगाम धाम । तदनु व्रतमुत्तमं जनेषु समचरदात्महितेषु चैतदेव
sūta uvāca | iti śivavacanaṃ niśamya viṣṇurhitataramadbhutamājagāma dhāma | tadanu vratamuttamaṃ janeṣu samacaradātmahiteṣu caitadeva
Sūta said: Having heard these words of Śiva, Viṣṇu—greatly delighted and filled with wonder—returned to his own abode. Thereafter, for the welfare of beings and for the true good of the Self, he himself practiced this most excellent vow among people.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Significance: Models the transmission of Śaiva vrata-dharma through exemplary agents (Viṣṇu) for loka-hita; emphasizes that practice is for both self-welfare and welfare of beings.
FAQs
It shows that even Viṣṇu upholds Śiva’s instruction and models an “uttama-vrata” for ātma-hita—inner purification and liberation-oriented welfare—affirming Śiva as the supreme guide (Pati) whose teaching leads beings toward grace and mokṣa.
In the Kotirudra context—closely linked with Jyotirliṅga glory—the verse emphasizes following Śiva’s spoken injunction through disciplined observance (vrata), which typically supports Saguna Śiva worship via regular pūjā, dhyāna, and reverent conduct centered on Śiva’s presence.
The takeaway is vrata-sādhana: adopting a disciplined devotional observance taught by Śiva—commonly including purity, restraint, regular worship, and mantra-japa (such as pañcākṣarī) as a means of self-welfare and spiritual steadiness.