Niṣādasya Bhillasya Itihāsaḥ — Śivarātri-vrata-prabhāvaḥ
The Hunter’s Account and the Efficacy of the Śivarātri Observance
मृग उवाच । शृणु व्याध प्रवक्ष्यामि नानृतं विद्यते मयि । सत्येन सर्वं ब्रह्माण्डं तिष्ठत्येव चराचरम्
mṛga uvāca | śṛṇu vyādha pravakṣyāmi nānṛtaṃ vidyate mayi | satyena sarvaṃ brahmāṇḍaṃ tiṣṭhatyeva carācaram
ម្រឹគ (សត្វក្តាន់) មានពាក្យថា៖ «សូមស្តាប់ ឱ អ្នកប្រមាញ់ ខ្ញុំនឹងនិយាយ; ក្នុងខ្ញុំមិនមានពាក្យកុហកឡើយ។ ដោយសេចក្តីពិតនេះឯង សកលព្រហ្មណ្ឌទាំងមូល—ទាំងចល័តទាំងអចល័ត—ត្រូវបានគាំទ្រឲ្យឈររឹងមាំ»។
The deer (Mṛga)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Upholding satya (truthfulness) is presented as a sustaining dharma; it becomes an inner tīrtha that supports steadiness in Śiva-bhakti and eligibility for grace.
Type: stotra
It establishes satya (truthfulness) as a foundational dharma: when one abides in truth, the mind becomes fit for Shiva’s grace, and the cosmos itself is portrayed as upheld by the power of truth.
Linga-worship is not merely external ritual; it is supported by inner purity. Truthfulness is a key yama that steadies the devotee, making puja, japa, and pilgrimage to Shiva’s sacred forms (including Jyotirlingas) spiritually fruitful.
Practice satya as a daily vrata (ethical observance) alongside Shiva-upasana—especially steady japa of the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—so speech and mind align with dharma.