Shloka 23
Niṣādasya Bhillasya Itihāsaḥ — Śivarātri-vrata-prabhāvaḥ
The Hunter’s Account and the Efficacy of the Śivarātri Observance
कुटुम्बं पोषितं नित्यं कृत्वा पापान्यनेकशः । एवं पापानि हा कृत्वा का गतिर्मे भविष्यति
kuṭumbaṃ poṣitaṃ nityaṃ kṛtvā pāpānyanekaśaḥ | evaṃ pāpāni hā kṛtvā kā gatirme bhaviṣyati
“I have continually maintained my family, and in doing so I have committed many sins. Alas—having wrought such sinful deeds, what destiny will befall me?”
Suta Goswami (narrating the devotee’s lament within the Kotirudrasaṃhitā context)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It voices the jīva’s awakening: realizing that worldly maintenance, when driven by attachment and unethical means, creates pāpa and binds one’s gati; the implied remedy in Shaiva thought is śaraṇāgati—turning to Lord Shiva for purification and liberation.
The verse sets up the need for atonement and refuge; in the Kotirudrasaṃhitā, such inner remorse commonly leads the seeker toward Jyotirlinga/Linga worship—approaching Saguna Shiva as the compassionate Pati who burns karmic bonds and redirects one toward moksha.
A practical takeaway is to adopt Shiva-centered prāyaścitta: daily Panchakshara japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), Linga abhiṣeka with sincere repentance, and living with dharma to stop further pāpa—especially strengthened by Mahāśivarātri vrata.