Shloka 58

Adhyaya 89: शौचाचारलक्षणम् — सदाचार, भैक्ष्यचर्या, प्रायश्चित्त, द्रव्यशुद्धि, आशौच-निर्णय

Devanagari script

च्लेअनिन्ग् ओफ़् ओब्जेच्त्स् भस्मना शुध्यते कांस्यं क्षारेणायसम् उच्यते ताम्रमम्लेन वै विप्रास् त्रपुसीसकयोरपि

Transliteration

cleaning of objects bhasmanā śudhyate kāṃsyaṃ kṣāreṇāyasam ucyate tāmramamlena vai viprās trapusīsakayorapi

Translation

يا أيها البراهمة، إن البرونز (kāṃsya) يُطهَّر بالبَسْمَة، أي الرماد المقدّس؛ والحديد يُقال إنه يُطهَّر بالقلويّات؛ والنحاس يُطهَّر بالحامض؛ وكذلك القصدير والرصاص. فلهذا، في شيفا-بوجا، ينبغي للمتعبّد أن يطهّر أدوات الطقس بحسب مادتها، مُزيلًا المَلا (الدَّنَس) قبل تقديمها إلى باتي (شيفا).

Word by Word

• bhasmanā: by ash (bhasma)

• śudhyate: is purified

• kāṃsyam: bronze/bell-metal

• kṣāreṇa: by alkali/lye

• āyasam: iron/metal of iron

• ucyate: is said (in the śāstra)

• tāmram: copper

• amlena: by sour/acidic agent

• vai: indeed

• viprāḥ: O brāhmaṇas

• trapu: tin

• sīsaka: lead

• yor api: and also of those two (as well)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-puja shauca rules to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It teaches dravya-śuddhi—purifying the very materials used in Linga-pūjā—so offerings become fit for Pati (Śiva) and the sādhaka reduces external mala (impurity) as a support for inner purity.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Śiva-tattva is implied as supremely pure (śuddha); therefore, the pious worshipper aligns the ritual field with that purity by cleansing implements, reflecting the Siddhānta principle that the Pāśu approaches Pati by removing mala and pasha-conditioned defilement.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritual shauca (purity discipline) in Shiva-pūjā—using bhasma, alkali, and acidic cleansers according to the metal—supporting the Pāśupata emphasis on disciplined preparation before worship and meditation.