Shloka 16

Aghora-Mantra Japa: Graded Expiations, Pañcagavya Purification, and Homa for Mahāpātaka-Nivṛtti

Devanagari script

उपांशु यच्चतुर्धा वै वाचिकं चाष्टधा जपेत् पातकादर्धमेव स्याद् उपपातकिनां स्मृतम्

Transliteration

upāṃśu yaccaturdhā vai vācikaṃ cāṣṭadhā japet pātakādardhameva syād upapātakināṃ smṛtam

Translation

One should repeat the mantra in a low voice (upāṁśu) fourfold, and aloud (vācika) eightfold. It is taught that for those burdened by secondary sins (upapātakas), the fruit is only half of that gained in the case of grave sins (pātakas).

Word by Word

• उपांशु (upāṁśu): in a low voice/whispered

• यत् (yat): which/that

• चतुर्धा (caturdhā): fourfold/in four measures

• वै (vai): indeed

• वाचिकम् (vācikam): spoken aloud/verbal

• च (ca): and

• अष्टधा (aṣṭadhā): eightfold/in eight measures

• जपेत् (japet): one should recite (japa)

• पातकात् (pātakāt): than/with respect to grave sin

• अर्धम् (ardham): half

• एव (eva): only/indeed

• स्यात् (syāt): would be/is

• उपपातकिनाम् (upapātakinām): of those with secondary sins

• स्मृतम् (smṛtam): is remembered/declared in tradition

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating traditional injunctions within the Linga Purana discourse to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It gives a practical rule for mantra-japa used in Shiva-puja, distinguishing low-voiced and aloud recitation as measurable disciplines supporting purification before (and during) Linga worship.

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

By framing japa as a means to lessen sin and bondage, it implies Shiva as Pati—the liberating Lord—approached through mantra, which refines the pashu (soul) and loosens pasha (impurity/bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Mantra-japa discipline: upāṁśu-japa (low-voiced) and vācika-japa (aloud), prescribed in specific multiples as part of Shaiva purification and preparatory practice aligned with Pashupata-oriented sadhana.