Shloka 90
Niṣādasya Bhillasya Itihāsaḥ — Śivarātri-vrata-prabhāvaḥ
The Hunter’s Account and the Efficacy of the Śivarātri Observance
शिव उवाच । शृणु व्याधाद्य भोगांस्त्वं भुंक्ष्व दिव्यान्यथेप्सितान् । राजधानीं समाश्रित्य शृंगवेरपुरे पराम्
śiva uvāca | śṛṇu vyādhādya bhogāṃstvaṃ bhuṃkṣva divyānyathepsitān | rājadhānīṃ samāśritya śṛṃgaverapure parām
شِو نے فرمایا— اے شکاری، سنو۔ آج سے تم اپنی خواہش کے مطابق آسمانی بھوگ بھوگو۔ شِرِنگویرپور کی اُس اعلیٰ راجدھانی میں پناہ لے کر رہو۔
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Śṛṅgaverapura is famed in Rāmāyaṇa as Guha’s city on the Gaṅgā where Rāma is received; here Śiva directs the hunter toward that destined dharmic meeting.
Significance: Association with Rāma–Guha meeting; reinforces bhakti through service to dharmic avatāra and devotees.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It highlights Śiva’s anugraha (saving grace): when one comes under Śiva’s protection, even worldly enjoyments become regulated by dharma and can turn into a step toward inner purification and eventual liberation.
The verse presents Saguna Śiva as a compassionate Lord who directly guides devotees and grants boons; such personal relationship is central to Linga-bhakti where the devotee seeks refuge (śaraṇāgati) in Śiva’s presence and command.
The practical takeaway is śaraṇāgati—taking refuge in Śiva with devotion; in Shaiva practice this is commonly supported by daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and worship at a sacred abode/temple with reverence.