Shloka 73
Niṣādasya Bhillasya Itihāsaḥ — Śivarātri-vrata-prabhāvaḥ
The Hunter’s Account and the Efficacy of the Śivarātri Observance
तच्छ्रुत्वा च मृगः प्राह गम्यते तत्र वै मया । भवत्यौ तिष्ठतां चात्र मातृतः शिशुरक्षणम्
tacchrutvā ca mṛgaḥ prāha gamyate tatra vai mayā | bhavatyau tiṣṭhatāṃ cātra mātṛtaḥ śiśurakṣaṇam
Hearing this, the deer said, “Truly, I shall go there. You two remain here, and from the mother’s side protect the young one.”
Suta Goswami (narrating the Kotirudra Samhita account; direct speech is by the deer)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
The verse highlights dharma expressed as guardianship and selfless responsibility—qualities that, in Shaiva Siddhanta, prepare the devotee (paśu) to receive Shiva’s grace (pati-anugraha) by reducing ego and cultivating compassionate duty.
Though not explicitly mentioning the Linga here, the narrative mood aligns with Saguna Shiva devotion: devotees emulate Shiva’s protective compassion in conduct, which becomes an offering (seva-bhāva) supporting Linga worship and pilgrimage disciplines described in the Kotirudra Samhita.
A practical takeaway is protective seva as a vow: while repeating the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” one can undertake a simple niyama of safeguarding dependents (children, family, beings) as a living observance, especially on Mahashivratri.