Shloka 73
Niṣādasya Bhillasya Itihāsaḥ — Śivarātri-vrata-prabhāvaḥ
The Hunter’s Account and the Efficacy of the Śivarātri Observance
तच्छ्रुत्वा च मृगः प्राह गम्यते तत्र वै मया । भवत्यौ तिष्ठतां चात्र मातृतः शिशुरक्षणम्
tacchrutvā ca mṛgaḥ prāha gamyate tatra vai mayā | bhavatyau tiṣṭhatāṃ cātra mātṛtaḥ śiśurakṣaṇam
Mendengar itu, sang rusa berkata, “Aku sungguh akan pergi ke sana. Kalian berdua tetaplah di sini dan lindungilah anak itu dari sisi sang ibu.”
Suta Goswami (narrating the Kotirudra Samhita account; direct speech is by the deer)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse highlights dharma expressed as guardianship and selfless responsibility—qualities that, in Shaiva Siddhanta, prepare the devotee (paśu) to receive Shiva’s grace (pati-anugraha) by reducing ego and cultivating compassionate duty.
Though not explicitly mentioning the Linga here, the narrative mood aligns with Saguna Shiva devotion: devotees emulate Shiva’s protective compassion in conduct, which becomes an offering (seva-bhāva) supporting Linga worship and pilgrimage disciplines described in the Kotirudra Samhita.
A practical takeaway is protective seva as a vow: while repeating the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” one can undertake a simple niyama of safeguarding dependents (children, family, beings) as a living observance, especially on Mahashivratri.