Shloka 59
Vaiśyanātha-avatāra-kathā
The Account of Śiva’s Manifestation as Vaiśyanātha
वेश्योवाच । न मे वाञ्छास्ति भोगेषु भूमौ स्वर्गे रसातले । तव पादाम्बुजस्पर्शादन्यत्किंचिन्न कामये
veśyovāca | na me vāñchāsti bhogeṣu bhūmau svarge rasātale | tava pādāmbujasparśādanyatkiṃcinna kāmaye
La courtisane dit : «Je ne désire aucun plaisir, ni sur la terre, ni au ciel, ni même en Rasātala. En dehors du contact de Tes pieds de lotus, je ne souhaite rien du tout.»
Veśyā (the courtesan devotee)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: The devotee’s rejection of bhoga across bhūḥ-svarga-rasātala and exclusive longing for Śiva’s pādāmbuja is a classic bhakti-topos; it is not presented as a Jyotirliṅga origin account.
Significance: Teaches vairāgya and single-pointed devotion: the highest ‘pilgrimage fruit’ is proximity to Śiva (pāda-sevā), not celestial enjoyments.
Type: stotra
FAQs
It expresses supreme vairāgya (dispassion) and ananya-bhakti (exclusive devotion): the devotee rejects worldly, heavenly, and subterranean pleasures and seeks only Shiva’s grace, symbolized by the touch of His lotus-feet—pointing toward liberation rather than reward.
Though Shiva is ultimately beyond attributes, the verse approaches Him in a Saguna mode—personally, through His “lotus-feet.” In Linga worship, this same intimacy is enacted by reverent upacāras (ablution, offering, and prostration), seeking Shiva’s presence and grace rather than mere boons.
Practice single-pointed devotion with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and daily namaskāra/prostration, mentally placing oneself at Shiva’s feet; let the intention be freedom from craving, not attainment of pleasures.