Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 64

Niṣādasya Bhillasya Itihāsaḥ — Śivarātri-vrata-prabhāvaḥ

The Hunter’s Account and the Efficacy of the Śivarātri Observance

Devanagari script

सन्ध्यायां मैथुने घस्रे शिवरात्र्यां च भोजने । कूटसाक्ष्ये न्यासहारे संध्याहीने द्विजे तथा

Transliteration

sandhyāyāṃ maithune ghasre śivarātryāṃ ca bhojane | kūṭasākṣye nyāsahāre saṃdhyāhīne dvije tathā

Translation

在桑迪亚（晨昏礼）之时行淫、在湿婆夜（Śivarātri）白昼进食、作伪证、侵吞托付之财，以及同样地，二次生者（婆罗门等）怠慢桑迪亚敬拜——这些皆为湿婆奉献者所受戒律中所称的重罪之行。

Word by Word

• सन्ध्यायाम्: at twilight (sandhyā time)
• सन्ध्यायाम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सन्ध्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन; काल-अधिकरण

• मैथुने: in sexual intercourse
• मैथुने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मैथुन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• घस्रे: in daytime
• घस्रे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: घस्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; काल-अधिकरण (by day)

• शिवरात्र्याम्: on Śivarātri night
• शिवरात्र्याम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव + रात्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• भोजने: in eating/at a meal
• भोजने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भोजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कूटसाक्ष्ये: in false testimony
• कूटसाक्ष्ये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कूट + साक्ष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• न्यासहारे: in misappropriation of a deposit/trust
• न्यासहारे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: न्यास + हार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सन्ध्याहीने: in a twice-born who neglects sandhyā (prayers)
• सन्ध्याहीने: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सन्ध्या + हीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (to द्विजे)

• द्विजे: in a brāhmaṇa/twice-born
• द्विजे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तथा: and likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थ/क्रियाविशेषण (and likewise)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Defines transgressive acts that obstruct vrata-phala; emphasizes that Śiva-bhakti is safeguarded by niyama, especially on Śivarātri and at sandhyā times.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It frames devotion to Śiva as inseparable from dharma: truthfulness, self-restraint, and fidelity to daily and festival disciplines purify the pashu (bound soul) and make it fit for Śiva’s grace (anugraha).

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

Linga-worship is not only offering flowers and water; it requires inner and outer purity. Violations like false testimony, breach of trust, and neglect of Sandhyā are presented as contradictions to the ethos of approaching Saguna Śiva through vrata and niyama.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Observe Śivarātri with restraint (especially regarding food), maintain daily Sandhyā worship, and uphold satya (truth) and trustworthiness—supporting japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with ethical discipline.