Shloka 23
वैभ्राजवन-प्रसङ्गः / The Episode of Vaibhrāja and the Yogic Forest
Vibhrāja-vana
पुष्ट्यर्थमिममध्यायं पठेदेनं शृणोति वा । मुच्यते सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षं याति न संशयः
puṣṭyarthamimamadhyāyaṃ paṭhedenaṃ śṛṇoti vā | mucyate sarvapāpebhyo mokṣaṃ yāti na saṃśayaḥ
Whoever recites this chapter for spiritual nourishment and well-being—or even listens to it—becomes freed from all sins and attains liberation; of this there is no doubt.
Suta Goswami (narrating the phalaśruti to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya, as typical of Purāṇic framing)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Phalaśruti: śravaṇa/pāṭha of the adhyāya is said to destroy pāpa and culminate in mokṣa; functions as a portable ‘tīrtha’ through sacred hearing.
Type: stotra
FAQs
This is a phalaśruti verse declaring that śravaṇa (devout listening) and pāṭha (recitation) of the chapter purify karmic impurities (pāpa) and culminate in mokṣa through Shiva’s grace, aligning with Shaiva Siddhānta emphasis on purification and liberation under Pati (Shiva).
By praising the merit of hearing/reciting the teaching, the verse supports Saguna upāsanā as an accessible means—devotion to Shiva’s names, deeds, and instructions (often centered on Linga worship) becomes a channel for inner purification leading toward realization of Shiva beyond bondage.
Regular pāṭha or attentive śravaṇa of the Shiva Purana chapter as a vrata-like discipline—ideally alongside simple Shaiva observances such as japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and respectful worship—since the verse specifically highlights recitation and listening as the practice.