Shloka 197

उमामहेश्वरव्रतं—पञ्चाक्षरमन्त्रस्य माहात्म्यं, न्यासः, जपविधिः, सदाचारः, विनियोगः

Devanagari script

जप्त्वायुतं च तत्स्नानाद् रोगाणां भेषजं भवेत् अष्टाविंशज्जपित्वान्नम् अश्नीयाद् अन्वहं शुचिः

Transliteration

japtvāyutaṃ ca tatsnānād rogāṇāṃ bheṣajaṃ bhavet aṣṭāviṃśajjapitvānnam aśnīyād anvahaṃ śuciḥ

Translation

Hat man das Mantra zehntausendmal als Japa gesprochen und sich danach entsprechend gebadet, wird es zu einem wahren Heilmittel gegen Krankheiten. Und nachdem man es achtundzwanzigmal wiederholt hat, soll man täglich seine Speise zu sich nehmen und dabei rein bleiben—so richtet sich der paśu (die verkörperte Seele) auf den glückverheißenden Strom des Pati, Herrn Śiva, aus.

Word by Word

• japtvā: having recited (japa)

• āyutam: ten thousand

• ca: and

• tat-snānāt: from/after that bathing

• rogāṇām: of diseases

• bheṣajam: medicine, remedy

• bhavet: becomes

• aṣṭāviṃśat: twenty-eight

• japitvā: having recited

• annam: food

• aśnīyāt: one should eat

• anvaham: every day

• śuciḥ: pure, clean

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating ritual instruction within the Linga Purana tradition)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames japa and post-japa bathing as a Shaiva purification rite, making the devotee’s body-mind fit for Linga-upasana and turning daily life (even eating) into regulated worship.

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

Śiva is implied as Pati—the supreme source of śuddhi (purification) and anugraha (grace)—whose mantra, when properly practiced, transforms impurity and suffering into well-being and spiritual alignment.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A niyama-based practice: prescribed counts of mantra-japa, followed by snāna (ritual bath), and a daily discipline of reciting the mantra (28 times) before taking food, maintaining śauca (purity).