Shloka 23
चाण्डालीसद्गतिवर्णनम् (Cāṇḍālī-sadgati-varṇanam) — “Account of the Cāṇḍālī’s Attainment of a Good Destiny”
कदाचित्साथ चांडाली गोकर्णं तं महाजनान् । आयास्यंत्यां शिवतिथौ गच्छतो बुबुधेऽन्वगान्
kadācitsātha cāṃḍālī gokarṇaṃ taṃ mahājanān | āyāsyaṃtyāṃ śivatithau gacchato bubudhe'nvagān
Once, a Caṇḍālī woman, intending to go to sacred Gokarṇa on an auspicious Śiva holy day (tithi), noticed a great multitude setting out and followed behind them.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Kotirudra Saṃhitā pilgrimage account to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Gokarṇa-kṣetra is approached on a Śiva-tithi; the narrative emphasizes that even socially marginalized beings gain access to Śiva’s grace through pilgrimage association (saṅga) and intent (bhāva).
Significance: Pilgrimage on Śiva-tithi amplifies puṇya; following the devotees becomes a conduit for anugraha, foreshadowing upliftment of the bound soul regardless of birth-status.
FAQs
It highlights that sincere intention to approach a Śiva-kṣetra on a Śiva holy day draws one into the current of devotion; the path of Śiva-bhakti is open even to those socially marginalized, emphasizing inner purity and grace over mere status.
Gokarṇa is a famed Śaiva pilgrimage center associated with Liṅga worship; the verse sets the narrative frame of pilgrims moving toward Saguna Śiva in the form of the Liṅga, where darśana and worship become means for purification and upliftment.
Observe a Śiva-tithi with pilgrimage or focused worship: recite the Pañcākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), maintain śauca (cleanliness) and bhakti, and perform simple offerings to the Liṅga with a steady, reverent mind.