Shloka 67
Niṣādasya Bhillasya Itihāsaḥ — Śivarātri-vrata-prabhāvaḥ
The Hunter’s Account and the Efficacy of the Śivarātri Observance
शिव उवाच । इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य गच्छ शीघ्रं समाव्रज । स व्याधेनैवमुक्तस्तु जलं पीत्वा गतो मृगः
śiva uvāca | iti śrutvā vacastasya gaccha śīghraṃ samāvraja | sa vyādhenaivamuktastu jalaṃ pītvā gato mṛgaḥ
Śiva said: “Thus, having heard his words—‘Go, return quickly.’” So, when the hunter spoke in this way, the deer drank the water and went away.
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse functions as narrative setup in the Koṭirudrasaṃhitā, foregrounding dharma (truthfulness/keeping one’s word) as the doorway to Śiva’s grace.
Significance: Ethical restraint (satya, dayā) is presented as preparatory purity for Śiva-bhakti; keeping one’s promise becomes a sādhana that attracts anugraha.
FAQs
It highlights restraint and the karmic weight of one’s intent: even within worldly action (like hunting), Shiva’s narrative lens points to dharma—allowing life to proceed without needless harm and recognizing Pati (Shiva) as the inner witness of all deeds.
Though the verse is narrative, it supports Saguna Shiva devotion by portraying Shiva as the guiding narrator of conduct; such stories prepare the devotee for Jyotirlinga worship by cultivating reverence, compassion, and purity—qualities central to approaching the Linga with right bhāva.
A practical takeaway is ahiṃsā-bhāvanā (cultivating non-harm) alongside japa of the Panchākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—to steady intention and reduce violent impulses, especially before pilgrimage or Linga worship.