Shloka 50

Niṣādasya Bhillasya Itihāsaḥ — Śivarātri-vrata-prabhāvaḥ

The Hunter’s Account and the Efficacy of the Śivarātri Observance

Devanagari script

ज्ञात्वा विलंबं चकितस्तदन्वेषणतत्परः । तद्यामे मृगमद्राक्षीज्जलमार्गगतं ततः

Transliteration

jñātvā vilaṃbaṃ cakitastadanveṣaṇatatparaḥ | tadyāme mṛgamadrākṣījjalamārgagataṃ tataḥ

Translation

Realizing the delay, and struck with concern, he became intent on searching. Then, at that very watch of the night, he saw the deer moving along a watery course, like a stream-path.

Word by Word

• jñātvā: having known
• jñātvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Verb
• Root: jñā (धातु) + ktvā (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), from √jñā (ज्ञा), ‘having known’

• vilaṃbam: delay
• vilaṃbam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vilaṃba (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• cakitaḥ: startled
• cakitaḥ: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: cakita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; adjectival predicate

• tad: that
• tad: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; used as determiner ‘that’

• anveṣaṇa-tatparaḥ: intent on searching
• anveṣaṇa-tatparaḥ: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anveṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + tatpara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) ‘anveṣaṇe tatparaḥ’; Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• tad-yāme: at that time/period
• tad-yāme: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम) + yāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) ‘tasmin yāme’; Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• mṛgam: deer
• mṛgam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mṛga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• adrākṣīt: saw
• adrākṣīt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Luṅ (लुङ्, Aorist), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular; from √dṛś (दृश्) ‘saw’

• jala-mārga-gatam: gone onto the water-path / moving along the water-course
• jala-mārga-gatam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jala (प्रातिपदिक) + mārga (प्रातिपदिक) + gata (कृदन्त, √gam)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) chain; ‘jalasya mārgaḥ’ + ‘mārge gataḥ’; Neuter, Accusative, Singular; past passive participle (क्त) gata

• tataḥ: then; from there
• tataḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb (क्रियाविशेषण) ‘then/from there’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

The verse highlights earnest seeking: when the devotee (or seeker) recognizes delay and becomes fully intent on the quest, a providential “sign” appears. In Shaiva understanding, such guidance is Shiva’s anugraha (grace) directing the seeker onward.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

Kotirudra narratives commonly move from worldly pursuit to a revealed sacred presence. The deer and the water-path function as narrative markers that lead toward a holy locus where Saguna Shiva is approached—often culminating in Linga-centric devotion and pilgrimage insight.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is focused anveṣaṇa (single-pointed seeking): steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) while pursuing dharma and tīrtha-darśana, trusting that Shiva’s grace will provide the next step when the mind becomes truly intent.