Shloka 34
Śiva-nāma-smaraṇa and Śambhu’s Protective Manifestation
Dāruka Episode
सूत उवाच । निषधे सुंदरे देशे क्षत्रियाणां कुले च सः । महासेनसुतो वीरसेनश्चैव शिवप्रियः
sūta uvāca | niṣadhe suṃdare deśe kṣatriyāṇāṃ kule ca saḥ | mahāsenasuto vīrasenaścaiva śivapriyaḥ
สูตกล่าวว่า ในแคว้นนิษธะอันงดงาม ในตระกูลกษัตริย์ มีบุรุษนามว่า วีรเสนะ บุตรของมหาเสนะ ผู้เป็นที่รักยิ่งของพระศิวะ (ศैวภักตะ)
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Introductory narrative frame: Sūta establishes the human devotee (Vīrasena) whose tapas and Śiva-bhakti will lead to a Jyotirliṅga-related revelation later in the episode.
Significance: Sets the paradigm of the kṣatriya-bhakta whose dharma and devotion qualify him for Śiva’s direct grace (anugraha) later.
FAQs
The verse introduces Vīrasena as “śiva-priya,” highlighting that spiritual worth is measured by devotion to Pati (Śiva) rather than by mere birth or status—an entry point to the Kotirudra narrative where grace and pilgrimage-centered bhakti lead toward liberation.
Kotirudrasaṃhitā commonly frames Śiva’s accessible, Saguna compassion through Jyotirliṅga accounts; calling Vīrasena ‘dear to Śiva’ signals a devotee suited to Liṅga-upāsanā—reverence, service, and faith directed to Śiva’s manifest form for receiving anugraha (grace).
While no specific rite is named in this single verse, the implied takeaway is steady Śiva-bhakti: daily remembrance with the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and—consistent with Kotirudra themes—Liṅga worship and pilgrimage-oriented vrata practice, especially during Mahāśivarātri.