Shloka 24

Sadācāra–Varṇa-lakṣaṇa and Prātaḥkṛtya

Right Conduct, Social Typologies, and Morning Purification

Devanagari script

ईषत्स्पर्शे च दौः स्वास्थ्ये राजराष्ट्रभयेऽपि च । अत्यागतिकाले च मंत्रस्नानं समाचरेत्

Transliteration

īṣatsparśe ca dauḥ svāsthye rājarāṣṭrabhaye'pi ca | atyāgatikāle ca maṃtrasnānaṃ samācaret

Translation

Bei einer leichten unrein machenden Berührung, bei angegriffener Gesundheit, bei Furcht vor König oder Reich und auch zur Zeit nahender Gefahr soll man ordnungsgemäß das „Mantra-Bad“ (mantra-snāna) vollziehen, die Reinigung unter Begleitung der Śiva-Mantras.

Word by Word

• ईषत्-स्पर्शे: in case of slight touch
• ईषत्-स्पर्शे: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ईषत् (अव्यय) + स्पर्श (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; Locative singular; अव्ययीभाव ‘ईषत् स्पर्शः’ = slight touch

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Conjunctive)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय; conjunction

• दौः-स्वास्थ्ये: in ill-health
• दौः-स्वास्थ्ये: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दौः (प्रातिपदिक; दुḥ- as prefixal element) + स्वास्थ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; Locative singular; तत्पुरुष ‘दौःस्वास्थ्यं’ = ill-health

• राज-राष्ट्र-भये: in fear from king/state
• राज-राष्ट्र-भये: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज (प्रातिपदिक) + राष्ट्र (प्रातिपदिक) + भय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; Locative singular; तत्पुरुष ‘राजस्य राष्ट्रस्य वा भयम्’ (contextual)

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अप्यर्थक-अव्यय; ‘also/even’

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Conjunctive)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय; conjunction

• अति-आगति-काले: at a time of urgent haste
• अति-आगति-काले: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अति (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + आगति (प्रातिपदिक) + काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; Locative singular; तत्पुरुष ‘अत्यागतिकालः’ = time of urgent/rapid arrival (emergency)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Conjunctive)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय; conjunction

• मन्त्र-स्नानम्: mantra-bath
• मन्त्र-स्नानम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + स्नान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; Accusative singular

• सम्-आचरेत्: should perform
• सम्-आचरेत्: क्रिया (Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चर् (धातु) with सम्- (उपसर्ग)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; ‘should perform/practice’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Mantra-snāna is presented as a portable protective rite in crisis; it preserves dharmic stability and readiness for Śiva’s refuge when external supports fail.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Durgā

Role: protective

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that in moments of impurity, weakness, or fear, a devotee should return to Shiva through mantra-assisted purification, restoring inner and outer śuddhi so worship and remembrance remain steady.

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

The verse supports Saguna Shiva worship by prescribing a practical preparatory rite—mantra-snāna—so the devotee approaches the Linga with purity, devotion, and ritual fitness, especially during distress.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It recommends mantra-snāna: bathing (or ritual cleansing) while reciting Shiva-mantras such as the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) as a protective and purificatory practice during impurity, illness, or danger.