Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 37
Niṣādasya Bhillasya Itihāsaḥ — Śivarātri-vrata-prabhāvaḥ
The Hunter’s Account and the Efficacy of the Śivarātri Observance
तदीया भगिनी या वै मृगी च परिभाविता । तस्या मार्गं विचिन्वन्ती ह्याजगाम जलार्थिनी
tadīyā bhaginī yā vai mṛgī ca paribhāvitā | tasyā mārgaṃ vicinvantī hyājagāma jalārthinī
随后，她的姊妹——同为母鹿、心中忧惧者——为求水而来，四处寻觅自己的行路之径。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage; narrative introduces the distressed sister-doe, setting up recognition/search motifs and the unfolding of karmic consequence.
Significance: Indirect: highlights compassion and the vulnerability of beings in saṃsāra; the search for water/path functions as a symbol of seeking relief and right direction.
FAQs
The verse presents a being in distress—thirsty and searching—symbolizing the bound soul (paśu) wandering for relief; in Shaiva understanding, such suffering becomes the turning-point that leads one to seek true refuge in Pati (Lord Shiva).
Within Kotirudrasaṃhitā’s pilgrimage setting, the motif of seeking (water, path) mirrors the devotee’s approach to Saguna Shiva in the Linga—approaching the sacred presence for grace, protection, and restoration of wellbeing.
A practical takeaway is compassionate, prayerful remembrance of Shiva when encountering suffering—mentally repeating the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while offering water (jala) in Shiva worship as an act of śānti and grace.