Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 25
Niṣādasya Bhillasya Itihāsaḥ — Śivarātri-vrata-prabhāvaḥ
The Hunter’s Account and the Efficacy of the Śivarātri Observance
मृग्युवाच । मन्मांसेन सुखं ते स्याद्देहस्यानर्थकारिणः । अधिकं किं महत्पुण्यं धन्याहं नात्र संशयः
mṛgyuvāca | manmāṃsena sukhaṃ te syāddehasyānarthakāriṇaḥ | adhikaṃ kiṃ mahatpuṇyaṃ dhanyāhaṃ nātra saṃśayaḥ
Sinabi ni Mṛgī: “Nawa’y masiyahan ka sa aking laman—bagaman ang katawang ito’y tagapaghatid ng kapahamakan. Ano pa bang higit na dakila at marangal na kabutihan kaysa rito? Mapalad ako—walang pag-aalinlangan.”
Mṛgī (the doe)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
The doe frames selfless giving as “great merit,” showing that compassion and surrender of ego-identification with the body are dharmic acts that purify the soul and align it toward Pati (Lord Shiva) rather than bodily fear.
Though not naming the Liṅga directly, the verse reflects Saguna-Shiva devotion through surrender and offering; Shaiva teaching emphasizes that inner offering (tyāga, dayā) supports outer worship, making pilgrimage and Jyotirlinga-darśana fruitful.
The takeaway is a practice of self-offering through non-violence and charity: perform japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” dedicate one’s actions to Shiva, and cultivate dayā (compassion) as an inner vrata—especially suitable for Mahāśivarātri observance.