Shloka 87
दशशैवव्रतप्रश्नः — Inquiry into the Ten Principal Śaiva Vratas
सूत उवाच । इति शिववचनं निशम्य विष्णुर्हिततरमद्भुतमाजगाम धाम । तदनु व्रतमुत्तमं जनेषु समचरदात्महितेषु चैतदेव
sūta uvāca | iti śivavacanaṃ niśamya viṣṇurhitataramadbhutamājagāma dhāma | tadanu vratamuttamaṃ janeṣu samacaradātmahiteṣu caitadeva
సూతుడు పలికెను—శివుని ఈ వచనములు విని విష్ణువు పరమానందంతో, ఆశ్చర్యభరితుడై తన స్వధామమునకు తిరిగి వెళ్లెను. అనంతరం భూతహితమునకును ఆత్మహితమునకును జనుల మధ్య ఈ ఉత్తమ వ్రతమునే స్వయంగా ఆచరించెను।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Significance: Models the transmission of Śaiva vrata-dharma through exemplary agents (Viṣṇu) for loka-hita; emphasizes that practice is for both self-welfare and welfare of beings.
FAQs
It shows that even Viṣṇu upholds Śiva’s instruction and models an “uttama-vrata” for ātma-hita—inner purification and liberation-oriented welfare—affirming Śiva as the supreme guide (Pati) whose teaching leads beings toward grace and mokṣa.
In the Kotirudra context—closely linked with Jyotirliṅga glory—the verse emphasizes following Śiva’s spoken injunction through disciplined observance (vrata), which typically supports Saguna Śiva worship via regular pūjā, dhyāna, and reverent conduct centered on Śiva’s presence.
The takeaway is vrata-sādhana: adopting a disciplined devotional observance taught by Śiva—commonly including purity, restraint, regular worship, and mantra-japa (such as pañcākṣarī) as a means of self-welfare and spiritual steadiness.