Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 57
सर्वेश्वर-परमकारण-निरूपणम् / The Supreme Lord as the Uncaused Cause
तद्वनं तेन विख्यातं नैमिषं मुनिपूजितम् । अनेकयक्षगंधर्वविद्याधरसमाकुलम्
tadvanaṃ tena vikhyātaṃ naimiṣaṃ munipūjitam | anekayakṣagaṃdharvavidyādharasamākulam
C’est pourquoi cette forêt est renommée sous le nom de Naimiṣa, vénérée et honorée par les sages ; elle est foisonnante de nombreux Yakṣas, Gandharvas et Vidyādharas.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Because the cakra-rim (nemi) broke there, the forest becomes famed as Naimiṣa; it is ‘munipūjita’ and populated by semi-divine beings (yakṣa, gandharva, vidyādhara), marking it as a liminal sacred realm suited for long sacrifices and Purāṇic recitation.
Significance: Naimiṣa is presented as a siddha-kṣetra where tapas, śravaṇa, and yajña bear accelerated fruit; the presence of celestial beings implies heightened ‘kṣetra-śakti’ supporting anugraha for seekers.
FAQs
It establishes Naimiṣāraṇya as a sanctified space where rishis gather for dharma and Shiva-kathā; the presence of celestial beings highlights the subtle purity and spiritual potency of the place.
By foregrounding a revered tīrtha where sages worship, the verse frames the setting in which Saguna Shiva worship (including Linga-upāsanā, vows, and recitation) is traditionally performed and taught.
Pilgrimage to a sacred kṣetra, staying in the company of sages (satsaṅga), and attentive listening/recitation of Shiva Purana teachings—supported by japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) as a fitting practice in such a holy forest.