Shloka 3
Niṣādasya Bhillasya Itihāsaḥ — Śivarātri-vrata-prabhāvaḥ
The Hunter’s Account and the Efficacy of the Śivarātri Observance
सूत उवाच । श्रूयतामृषयस्सर्वे कथयामि पुरातनम् । इतिहासं निषादस्य सर्वपापप्रणाशनम्
sūta uvāca | śrūyatāmṛṣayassarve kathayāmi purātanam | itihāsaṃ niṣādasya sarvapāpapraṇāśanam
സൂതൻ പറഞ്ഞു—ഹേ ഋഷിമാരേ, നിങ്ങൾ എല്ലാവരും കേൾക്കുക; ഞാൻ ഒരു പുരാതന വൃത്താന്തം പറയുന്നു—നിഷാദന്റെ പുണ്യചരിതം, അത് സർവ്വപാപനാശകമാണ്।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Introduces an exemplum-kathā: an ancient Niṣāda’s story illustrating the sin-destroying power of Śiva-related observance (likely Śivarātri or allied worship), a common Purāṇic method to ground vrata-phala in lived narrative.
Significance: Hearing (śravaṇa) of the Niṣāda-itihāsa is itself presented as sarva-pāpa-praṇāśana, encouraging pilgrimage-like engagement through kathā-śravaṇa even outside a specific shrine.
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse establishes śravaṇa (devotional listening) as a purifying act: hearing sacred Shiva-linked history with faith burns accumulated pāpa and turns the mind toward Pati (Śiva), the liberator.
By inviting the sages to hear a sin-destroying narrative, the text points to Shiva-kathā as a form of Saguna devotion—approaching Śiva through his līlā, devotees, and sacred places (often tied in Kotirudra to Jyotirliṅga glory).
Practice śravaṇa of Shiva Purana (especially Jyotirliṅga-mahātmya) with reverence; ideally combine it with japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” as a daily purification discipline.