Shloka 69
पार्थिवप्रतिमापूजाविधानम्
Pārthiva-pratimā Pūjā-vidhāna — Procedure for Worship of an Earthen Icon
ज्ञानं लब्ध्वा च देहांते विप्रो मुक्तिमवाप्नुयात् । अन्येषां नरनारीणां त्रिःस्नानेन जपेन च
jñānaṃ labdhvā ca dehāṃte vipro muktimavāpnuyāt | anyeṣāṃ naranārīṇāṃ triḥsnānena japena ca
Hat man wahre geistige Erkenntnis erlangt, so erreicht ein Brāhmaṇa am Ende des Körpers (im Tod) die Befreiung, mokṣa. Für andere Männer und Frauen nähert sich die Befreiung durch die Disziplin des dreimal täglichen Badens und durch japa, das Wiederholen des heiligen Mantras, gemäß den reinigenden Observanzen der Śiva-Verehrung.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: The verse teaches a general soteriological rule: jñāna at life’s end yields mokṣa for the qualified seeker; for others, purification through nitya-śauca (triḥsnāna) and mantra-japa in Śiva-worship becomes the practical approach to liberation.
Significance: Frames liberation as accessible through Śiva-upāsanā: either via jñāna culminating at death, or via daily purificatory discipline and japa that gradually removes mala and prepares for Śiva’s grace.
FAQs
It presents a Shaiva path where liberating insight (jñāna) is primary, while disciplined purification and mantra-japa prepare and elevate those who are not established in such knowledge—both culminating in Shiva-grace and moksha.
Thrice-daily bathing and japa are classic preparatory observances for Saguna Shiva worship—approaching the Linga with purity and steady remembrance—through which the mind becomes fit for devotion and, ultimately, realization.
Regular triḥ-snana (threefold daily bathing) and japa—especially of Shiva-mantras such as the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya)—as a sustained daily discipline.