Shloka 65
Niṣādasya Bhillasya Itihāsaḥ — Śivarātri-vrata-prabhāvaḥ
The Hunter’s Account and the Efficacy of the Śivarātri Observance
शिवहीनं मुखं यस्य नोपकर्ता क्षमोऽपि सन् । पर्वणि श्रीफलस्यैव त्रोटनेऽभक्ष्यभक्षणे
śivahīnaṃ mukhaṃ yasya nopakartā kṣamo'pi san | parvaṇi śrīphalasyaiva troṭane'bhakṣyabhakṣaṇe
Even if one is otherwise capable, a person whose mouth is devoid of Śiva’s remembrance cannot truly be of help—just as, on an auspicious day, cracking a coconut yet eating what should not be eaten becomes a hollow, improper act.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Significance: Teaches that speech and service become spiritually efficacious only when rooted in Śiva-smaraṇa; otherwise even ‘auspicious’ acts are hollow—like ritual without inner devotion.
Type: stotra
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It teaches that mere competence or outward religiosity is spiritually unfruitful without Śiva-smaraṇa (remembrance of Śiva). Speech and action become truly beneficial only when rooted in devotion to Pati (Śiva), aligning conduct with dharma.
Linga/Saguṇa worship is not just external offering; it requires the devotee’s mouth to be ‘with Śiva’—reciting His names, mantra, and praise. Without that inner orientation, ritual acts resemble an auspicious-looking gesture that becomes improper due to wrong intention or conduct.
Maintain Śiva-nāma and mantra-japa—especially the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—so that speech remains sanctified. Let festival or pilgrimage worship be accompanied by disciplined conduct (avoiding ‘abhakṣya’ in a broader sense: forbidden, harmful, or impure habits).