Shloka 24
Niṣādasya Bhillasya Itihāsaḥ — Śivarātri-vrata-prabhāvaḥ
The Hunter’s Account and the Efficacy of the Śivarātri Observance
किं करोमि क्व गच्छामि ह्युपायं रचयाम्यहम् । इत्थं विचार्यं सा तत्र वचनं चेदमब्रवीत्
kiṃ karomi kva gacchāmi hyupāyaṃ racayāmyaham | itthaṃ vicāryaṃ sā tatra vacanaṃ cedamabravīt
“What shall I do? Where shall I go? Indeed, how can I devise a means (to proceed)?” Thinking thus, she then spoke these words there.
Suta Goswami (narrating the episode; the quoted words are spoken by an unnamed woman in the narrative)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
It depicts the inner turning-point of a seeker—recognizing helplessness and actively searching for an upāya (spiritual means). In Shaiva understanding, such sincere inquiry becomes the doorway to Shiva’s grace and right guidance.
In Kotirudra narratives centered on Jyotirlingas, the crisis of “what shall I do, where shall I go” typically resolves through approaching a sacred Shiva-abode (Linga/Jyotirlinga) and taking refuge in Saguna Shiva as the accessible form of the Supreme.
The verse implies adopting an upāya: seeking Shiva’s refuge through mantra-japa (especially the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and, in Jyotirlinga contexts, undertaking darśana and prayer as the practical remedy.