Shloka 25
Śivakṣetra–Tīrtha–Māhātmya
The Salvific Function of Shiva’s Sacred Domains
विष्णोर्वचनमाहात्म्यात्सर्वाभीष्टप्रदं विदुः । वृश्चिके मासि संप्राप्ते तथार्के गुरुवृश्चिके
viṣṇorvacanamāhātmyātsarvābhīṣṭapradaṃ viduḥ | vṛścike māsi saṃprāpte tathārke guruvṛścike
విష్ణువాక్య మహాత్మ్యముచే అది (ఆచరణ) సమస్త అభీష్టములను ప్రసాదించునని వారు తెలుసుకొనుచున్నారు—ప్రత్యేకంగా వృశ్చిక మాసము వచ్చినప్పుడు, అలాగే సూర్యుడు మరియు గురుడు ఇద్దరూ వృశ్చిక రాశిలో ఉన్నప్పుడు।
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: The verse attributes efficacy to 'Viṣṇu’s utterance' (vacana-māhātmya), a purāṇic trope where a deity’s sanction empowers a tīrtha/vrata. It is not a Jyotirliṅga legend but a calendrical rule: Vṛścika month and a Ravi–Guru alignment in Vṛścika heighten wish-fulfillment.
Significance: Sarvābhīṣṭa-prada framing: worldly and religious aims are granted through sanctioned observance; in Siddhānta terms, such boons remain within pāśa unless redirected toward Śiva-bhakti and jñāna.
Cosmic Event: Graha-yoga specified: Ravi and Guru in Vṛścika; also the Vṛścika month is highlighted.
FAQs
The verse emphasizes kāla-viśeṣa (sacred timing): when devotion and right observance are done in an especially auspicious period, the fruit becomes “sarvābhīṣṭa-prada”—capable of fulfilling righteous aims. In Shaiva understanding, such timing supports steadiness of bhakti and accelerates grace (anugraha) toward Shiva.
Although the verse mentions Viṣṇu’s utterance, its practical thrust is the glorification of an auspicious window for vows and worship. In the Shiva Purana’s devotional frame, such periods are recommended for intensified Saguna Shiva worship—Linga pūjā, vrata, and temple observances—so the sādhaka’s intention ripens quickly.
It suggests undertaking Shiva-oriented vows and worship in the month of Vṛścika, especially under the stated planetary condition—performing Linga abhiṣeka, japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and disciplined vrata (purity, charity, and daily worship) for enhanced spiritual and worldly welfare.