Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 17
Niṣādasya Bhillasya Itihāsaḥ — Śivarātri-vrata-prabhāvaḥ
The Hunter’s Account and the Efficacy of the Śivarātri Observance
तद्रात्रौ प्रथमे यामे मृगी त्वेका समागता । तृषार्ता चकिता सा च प्रोत्फालं कुर्वती तदा
tadrātrau prathame yāme mṛgī tvekā samāgatā | tṛṣārtā cakitā sā ca protphālaṃ kurvatī tadā
ໃນຄືນນັ້ນ ໃນຍາມທຳອິດ ມີແມ່ກວາງຕົວໜຶ່ງມາຮອດທີ່ນັ້ນ. ນາງຖືກຄວາມຫິວນ້ຳທຳລາຍ ແລະຕົກໃຈດ້ວຍຄວາມຢ້ານ ຈຶ່ງກະໂດດວຸ່ນວາຍຢູ່ໃນເວລານັ້ນ.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
The verse highlights the jīva’s condition—driven by thirst (tṛṣṇā) and fear—wandering restlessly until it finds refuge; in Shaiva thought, such agitation is resolved by turning toward Pati (Shiva), the sure shelter beyond worldly insecurity.
Within Kotirudra’s Jyotirlinga setting, the frightened, thirsty creature approaching the scene foreshadows how all beings—regardless of status—are drawn to Shiva’s saguna presence at sacred kṣetras, where the Linga becomes the accessible refuge and grace-bestowing center.
A practical takeaway is to steady fear and inner ‘thirst’ through japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and mental śaraṇāgati (taking refuge in Shiva), especially during night vigils such as Mahāśivarātri.