Shloka 42
Niṣādasya Bhillasya Itihāsaḥ — Śivarātri-vrata-prabhāvaḥ
The Hunter’s Account and the Efficacy of the Śivarātri Observance
परन्तु मम बालाश्च गृहे तिष्ठन्ति चार्भकाः । भर्त्रे तांश्च समर्प्यैव ह्यागमिष्याम्यहं पुनः
parantu mama bālāśca gṛhe tiṣṭhanti cārbhakāḥ | bhartre tāṃśca samarpyaiva hyāgamiṣyāmyahaṃ punaḥ
“Namun anak-anakku yang kecil masih berada di rumah—masih mentah lagi. Setelah aku menyerahkan mereka kepada suamiku, aku akan kembali ke sini semula.”
A devout woman/pilgrim (a householder devotee) speaking within Suta’s Kotirudrasaṃhitā narration
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse occurs within an ethical/narrative frame where household duty (gṛhastha-dharma) is harmonized with pilgrimage/vrata intent—an implicit teaching that Śiva’s grace does not require abandonment of rightful responsibilities.
Significance: Affirms dharma-aligned devotion: caring for dependents and keeping one’s word are treated as prerequisites for fruitful tīrtha/vrata merit.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It highlights grihastha-dharma: devotion to Shiva is not rejected because of family duties; rather, one fulfills responsibilities (entrusting children to the husband) and then returns to worship with steadiness and sincerity.
Kotirudrasaṃhitā emphasizes Jyotirlinga devotion; the verse shows that Saguna Shiva worship through pilgrimage and temple service can be integrated with daily life—bhakti continues even when one must briefly attend to the home.
The takeaway is disciplined continuity: keep one’s Shiva-vrata and remembrance (japa of the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) even while arranging practical duties, then return to focused darśana/pūjā.