Shloka 71

दारुवनलीला—नीललोहितपरीक्षा, ब्रह्मोपदेशः, अतिथिधर्मः, संन्यासक्रमः

Devanagari script

ग्रहणान्तं हि वा विद्वान् अथ द्वादशवार्षिकम् स्नात्वाहृत्य च दारान्वै पुत्रानुत्पाद्य सुव्रतान्

Transliteration

grahaṇāntaṃ hi vā vidvān atha dvādaśavārṣikam snātvāhṛtya ca dārānvai putrānutpādya suvratān

Translation

A learned man should observe that vow until the end of an eclipse, or else for a full twelve-year period. Having performed the purificatory bath, he should then take a wife and beget virtuous sons, thus establishing household life in accord with sacred discipline (vrata) under Pati.

Word by Word

• ग्रहणान्तम्: until the end of an eclipse

• हि: indeed

• वा: or

• विद्वान्: the learned man

• अथ: then/otherwise

• द्वादशवार्षिकम्: twelve-year (observance)

• स्नात्वा: having bathed (ritually purified)

• आहृत्य: having taken/obtained

• च: and

• दारान्: a wife (marital life)

• वै: indeed/emphatic particle

• पुत्रान्: sons/offspring

• उत्पाद्य: having begotten/produced

• सुव्रतान्: of good vows/virtuous, well-disciplined

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Shaiva vrata as a disciplined sadhana that culminates in purification (snana) and a dharmic life-order, showing that Linga-bhakti supports both renunciation-like observance and righteous household responsibility.

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

By implying that the practitioner’s vows and life-stages are to be aligned under the Lord as Pati, it reflects Shiva as the governing principle who purifies and orders the pashu’s life toward dharma and eventual liberation from pasha.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Completion of a vrata—either eclipse-bound or a long twelve-year observance—followed by ritual bath (snana) and regulated grihastha duties, indicating a Shaiva discipline compatible with sustained Pashupata-style restraint and purity.