Shloka 93
Niṣādasya Bhillasya Itihāsaḥ — Śivarātri-vrata-prabhāvaḥ
The Hunter’s Account and the Efficacy of the Śivarātri Observance
एतस्मिन्नंतरे ते तु कृत्वा शंकरदर्शनम् । सर्वे प्रणम्य सन्मुक्तिं मृगयोनेः प्रपेदिरे
etasminnaṃtare te tu kṛtvā śaṃkaradarśanam | sarve praṇamya sanmuktiṃ mṛgayoneḥ prapedire
その間に彼らはシャンカラの吉祥なるダルシャナを得て、皆ことごとく恭しく礼拝し、真実の解脱に到達した—畜生の胎に再生する輪廻より解き放たれたのである。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: A group suffering animal-birth due to prior karma/curse receives Śaṅkara’s darśana; by prostration they are released from the mṛga-yoni and attain sanmukti—illustrating Śiva’s grace overriding bondage.
Significance: Darśana and namaskāra to Śiva are presented as sufficient to cut the pāśa of degraded rebirth and grant liberation.
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva’s grace received through darśana and humble pranāma can cut the bonds of pasha (bondage) and bestow sanmukti—freedom from lower rebirth and the cycle of transmigration.
The verse highlights saguna-upāsanā: encountering Śaṅkara in a worshipable, accessible form and responding with reverence. In Jyotirlinga contexts, such darśana is classically praised as a direct channel for Śiva’s saving grace.
A practical takeaway is daily Śiva-darśana (of a Liṅga or Śiva image), followed by heartfelt namaskāra/prostration and remembrance of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” cultivating surrender that leads toward liberation.