Shloka 31

स्नानविधिः — गायत्र्यावाहन, सूर्यवन्दन, तर्पण, पञ्चमहायज्ञ, भस्मस्नान, मन्त्रस्नान

Devanagari script

विधिवद्ब्रह्मयज्ञं च कुर्यात्सूत्री समाहितः अकृत्वा च मुनिः पञ्च महायज्ञान्द्विजोत्तमः

Transliteration

vidhivadbrahmayajñaṃ ca kuryātsūtrī samāhitaḥ akṛtvā ca muniḥ pañca mahāyajñāndvijottamaḥ

Translation

With a collected mind, the Sūtrī (reciter of sacred tradition) should duly perform the Brahma-yajña. O best of the twice-born, even a sage is not considered complete in his dharma if he has not performed the five great sacrifices (pañca mahāyajña)—duties that purify the paśu (bound soul) and turn it toward the Pati, Lord Śiva.

Word by Word

• विधिवत्: according to rule/rite

• ब्रह्मयज्ञम्: Brahma-yajña (study/recitation of Veda and sacred lore)

• च: and

• कुर्यात्: should do/should perform

• सूत्री: the Sūta/Sūtrī (traditional narrator/reciter)

• समाहितः: composed, collected, attentive

• अकृत्वा: without having done

• च: and

• मुनिः: sage

• पञ्च: five

• महायज्ञान्: the great sacrifices (pañca-mahāyajñas)

• द्विजोत्तमः: O best of the twice-born (address to a Brāhmaṇa)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (Sūta) narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya

Characters & Entities

• Brahma

FAQs

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

It frames Vedic discipline—especially Brahma-yajña and the pañca-mahāyajñas—as a foundational purity-practice that makes one fit for Śiva-upāsanā and Linga worship.

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

Implicitly, it presents Śiva as Pati, the supreme goal toward whom the purified paśu (individual soul) turns by removing pasha (bondage) through dharmic yajñas and scriptural alignment.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Brahma-yajña (scriptural study/recitation) and the pañca-mahāyajñas are highlighted as daily disciplines that support Śaiva sādhanā and prepare the mind for higher Pāśupata-oriented practice.