Shloka 9
छायापुरुषलक्षणवर्णनम्
Description of the Marks of the Shadow-Person
शुक्ले धर्मं विजानीयात्कृष्णे पापं विनिर्दिशेत् । रक्ते बंधं विजानीयात्पीते विद्विषमादिशेत्
śukle dharmaṃ vijānīyātkṛṣṇe pāpaṃ vinirdiśet | rakte baṃdhaṃ vijānīyātpīte vidviṣamādiśet
ينبغي أن يُفهم البياض علامةً للدَّهَرْما؛ وفي السواد يُشار إلى پاپا (الخطيئة). وفي الحمرة يُعرَف القيد والارتباط (bandha)؛ وفي الصفرة يُستدلّ على العداوة والبغضاء (vidveṣa).
Suta Goswami (narrating the Uma-saṃhitā teaching to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Significance: Color-omen hermeneutics used to guide conduct before worship/pilgrimage; encourages choosing śuddha (white) auspicious conditions for dharmic acts and avoiding doṣa-indicating signs.
FAQs
It teaches discernment (viveka): certain qualities and outcomes are symbolically read through colours—white for dharma, black for pāpa, red for bondage, and yellow for hostility—so a seeker can correct conduct and move toward Shiva’s grace and liberation.
In Linga-worship, purity of intention is central: dharma (white) supports auspicious worship, while pāpa, bondage, and hostility cloud devotion. The verse functions as a diagnostic—reminding devotees to approach Saguna Shiva with sattvic clarity rather than passion-bound or hostile states.
Cultivate “whiteness” inwardly through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), sāttvika conduct, and purification; reduce “black/red/yellow” tendencies by confession, restraint, and devotion—supported by traditional Shaiva practices like bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and steady meditation on Shiva.