Shloka 78
Niṣādasya Bhillasya Itihāsaḥ — Śivarātri-vrata-prabhāvaḥ
The Hunter’s Account and the Efficacy of the Śivarātri Observance
तेन जाता चतुर्थस्य पूजा यामस्य वै शुभा । तस्य पापन्तदा सर्वं भस्मसादभवत् क्षणात्
tena jātā caturthasya pūjā yāmasya vai śubhā | tasya pāpantadā sarvaṃ bhasmasādabhavat kṣaṇāt
Dengan perbuatan itu, pemujaan yang mulia pada yāma keempat (jaga malam) pun terlaksana dengan sempurna. Dan pada saat itu juga, segala dosanya serta-merta menjadi abu.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: The verse explicitly frames the act as completion of the ‘fourth yāma’ worship—evoking Śivarātri-style night vigil structure (yāma-pūjā) where successive watches culminate in grace and purification.
Significance: Promises immediate pāpa-kṣaya through even simple Śiva-pūjā performed with continuity through the night; underscores Śiva’s anugraha as the decisive liberating factor.
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that steadfast devotion culminating in the fourth watch of worship has the power to burn accumulated pāpa instantly—like fuel consumed by sacred fire—signifying Shiva’s grace that purifies karma and turns the seeker toward liberation.
The verse reflects the Purana’s emphasis on Saguna Shiva worship—especially Linga-pūjā performed through the night—where disciplined ritual and heartfelt bhakti become a direct means to receive Shiva’s purifying anugraha (grace).
Night-long Shiva worship divided into yāmas/praharas is implied—staying awake, offering pūjā in the fourth yāma, and cultivating repentance and devotion; practitioners commonly pair this with mantra-japa (e.g., Panchakshara) and bhasma/tripundra observances where appropriate.