Shloka 21
सत्क्रियो ह्यशुचिर्नित्यं स पुमान् यः स्त्रिया जितः । निन्दन्ति पितरो देवा मान वास्सकलाश्च तम्
satkriyo hyaśucirnityaṃ sa pumān yaḥ striyā jitaḥ | nindanti pitaro devā māna vāssakalāśca tam
বাহ্যত সৎক্ৰিয়া কৰিলেও যি পুৰুষ স্ত্ৰীৰ বশত পৰাজিত, সি সদায় অশুচি থাকে। পিতৃগণ, দেবগণ আৰু সকলো মানুহে তাক নিন্দা কৰে।
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating the Purāṇic teaching to the sages, within the Pārvatīkhaṇḍa context)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Īśāna
FAQs
The verse stresses that spiritual life is not validated by external ritual alone; inner purity and self-mastery are essential. In a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, true śauca supports devotion to Pati (Shiva) and loosens pāśa (bondage) created by uncontrolled desire and dependence.
Linga-worship is meant to transform character—humility, restraint, and purity—so the devotee becomes fit for Shiva’s grace. The verse warns that if one’s conduct is ruled by worldly impulses, ritual before Saguna Shiva becomes superficial rather than a means of inner purification.
The implied takeaway is disciplined sādhana: daily japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with śauca (clean habits), sense-restraint, and sincere vrata-like self-control—especially emphasized in Mahāśivarātri observances.