Shloka 53
Shivamurti–Pratishtha Phala: Shivalaya-Nirmana, Kshetra-Mahatmya, Tirtha-Snana, and Mandala-Vidhi
वापीकूपतडागाश् च शिवतीर्था इति स्मृताः स्नात्वा तेषु नरो भक्त्या तीर्थेषु द्विजसत्तमाः
vāpīkūpataḍāgāś ca śivatīrthā iti smṛtāḥ snātvā teṣu naro bhaktyā tīrtheṣu dvijasattamāḥ
O best of the twice-born, wells, stepwells, and ponds are remembered as Śiva-tīrthas, Śiva’s sacred bathing-places. When a person bathes in those tīrthas with bhakti, he draws near to Śiva’s grace—loosening the pāśa-bonds that bind the paśu (the individual soul) and turning the mind toward the Pati, Lord Śiva.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)
FAQs
It expands Shiva-bhakti beyond temple ritual by declaring even common water-sources as Shiva-tīrthas; bathing with devotion becomes an act of Shiva-oriented purification supporting Linga worship.
Shiva is implied as Pati—the Lord whose grace can be accessed through bhakti; sacredness is not merely geographic but arises from devotion that turns the pashu toward Shiva and away from pāśa (bondage).
Tīrtha-snana (devotional bathing) is highlighted as a purificatory upacāra that steadies the mind for Shaiva discipline—supporting Pashupata-style inner purification through outward sacred observance.