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
ఆ రాత్రి మొదటి యామంలో ఒక మృగి అక్కడికి వచ్చింది. దాహంతో బాధపడుతూ, భయంతో ఉలిక్కిపడి, ఆమె అప్పుడే అశాంతిగా ఎగిరి దూకసాగింది।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: The first yāma of night sets the vrata-like temporal frame; the doe’s thirst draws her to the spot, becoming the immediate occasion for the hunter’s actions that will be re-read as worship.
Significance: Teaches that even fear-driven movement toward water (tīrtha-symbolism) can become part of a salvific chain when Śiva’s presence is near.
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.