Shloka 10
Vaiśyanātha-avatāra-kathā
The Account of Śiva’s Manifestation as Vaiśyanātha
शिखासंबद्धरुद्राक्षः कुक्कुटः कपिना सह । नित्यं ननर्त नृत्यज्ञः पश्यतां हितमावहन्
śikhāsaṃbaddharudrākṣaḥ kukkuṭaḥ kapinā saha | nityaṃ nanarta nṛtyajñaḥ paśyatāṃ hitamāvahan
Wearing a Rudrākṣa tied upon his topknot, the rooster—together with the monkey—danced every day with perfect skill in dance, bringing benefit and auspiciousness to all who watched.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Naṭarāja
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse functions as a didactic vignette where even humble beings (rooster, monkey) become instruments that turn the mind toward Śiva through auspicious spectacle (darśana).
Significance: Darśana of Śiva-linked signs (rudrākṣa, sacred performance) is portrayed as maṅgala-producing and mind-purifying, preparing the paśu for bhakti and later grace.
FAQs
The verse highlights Rudrākṣa as a visible Shaiva sign that sanctifies conduct; even ordinary beings become auspicious when associated with Shiva’s sacred emblems, and their actions can bring welfare (hita) to others.
Rudrākṣa is a Saguna marker of devotion to Lord Shiva; wearing it with reverence supports Linga-oriented worship by keeping the devotee’s mind aligned with Shiva-bhakti and auspicious discipline in daily life.
Adopt Rudrākṣa-dhāraṇa (wearing Rudrākṣa with purity and devotion) and pair it with steady daily practice such as japa of the Panchākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” so one’s presence and actions become beneficial to others.