Shloka 3
Niṣādasya Bhillasya Itihāsaḥ — Śivarātri-vrata-prabhāvaḥ
The Hunter’s Account and the Efficacy of the Śivarātri Observance
सूत उवाच । श्रूयतामृषयस्सर्वे कथयामि पुरातनम् । इतिहासं निषादस्य सर्वपापप्रणाशनम्
sūta uvāca | śrūyatāmṛṣayassarve kathayāmi purātanam | itihāsaṃ niṣādasya sarvapāpapraṇāśanam
Sūta said: “O sages, all of you, listen. I shall narrate an ancient account—the story of a Niṣāda—which brings about the destruction of all sins.”
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
The verse establishes śravaṇa (devotional listening) as a purifying act: hearing sacred Shiva-linked history with faith burns accumulated pāpa and turns the mind toward Pati (Śiva), the liberator.
By inviting the sages to hear a sin-destroying narrative, the text points to Shiva-kathā as a form of Saguna devotion—approaching Śiva through his līlā, devotees, and sacred places (often tied in Kotirudra to Jyotirliṅga glory).
Practice śravaṇa of Shiva Purana (especially Jyotirliṅga-mahātmya) with reverence; ideally combine it with japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” as a daily purification discipline.