Shloka 76
Niṣādasya Bhillasya Itihāsaḥ — Śivarātri-vrata-prabhāvaḥ
The Hunter’s Account and the Efficacy of the Śivarātri Observance
ते बाला अपि सर्वे वै विलोक्यानुसमागताः । एतेषां या गतिः स्याद्वै ह्यस्माकं सा भवत्विति
te bālā api sarve vai vilokyānusamāgatāḥ | eteṣāṃ yā gatiḥ syādvai hyasmākaṃ sā bhavatviti
Even the children, having seen what had occurred, all gathered together and said: “Whatever destiny—whatever spiritual end—may befall these devotees, may that very same state become ours as well.”
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya; the quoted speakers are the children mentioned in the verse)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Expresses sādhāraṇa-bhakti: even the young aspire to the gati (end-state) of the righteous/devotees; framed as a seed of anugraha leading toward Śiva’s grace.
Role: liberating
FAQs
It highlights saṅga (holy association) and bhakti-saṃskāra: even children, merely by witnessing the devotees’ state, aspire for the same gati—union with Shiva’s grace culminating in liberation.
In the Kotirudra context of Jyotirlinga glory, the verse reflects how seeing Saguna Shiva’s devotees and the fruits of Linga-centered worship awakens longing for the same spiritual end—Shiva-prasāda leading to moksha.
Adopt satsanga and emulate Shiva-bhaktas: regular Linga-pūjā with the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and a simple vow of devotion (vrata) oriented toward attaining the devotees’ gati by Shiva’s grace.