Shloka 5

उपलेपनादिकथनम्

Vastraputa-jala, Ahimsa, and Conduct in Shiva Worship

Devanagari script

संमार्जने तथा नॄणां मार्जने च विशेषतः अग्नौ कण्डनके चैव पेषणे तोयसंग्रहे

Transliteration

saṃmārjane tathā nṝṇāṃ mārjane ca viśeṣataḥ agnau kaṇḍanake caiva peṣaṇe toyasaṃgrahe

Translation

Likewise, in sweeping and in cleansing people (and their surroundings)—especially in acts of scrubbing—also in tending the sacred fire, in pounding and husking, in grinding, and in drawing and storing water: these are to be performed as disciplined services, purifying the paśu (individual soul) and orienting one’s action toward Pati, Lord Śiva.

Word by Word

• संमार्जने: in sweeping/cleaning

• तथा: and/likewise

• नॄणाम्: of people/for persons

• मार्जने: in cleansing/scrubbing

• च: and

• विशेषतः: especially

• अग्नौ: in/with the fire (sacred fire)

• कण्डनके: in pounding/husking (grain processing)

• चैव: and indeed

• पेषणे: in grinding

• तोय-संग्रहे: in collecting/storing water

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Agni

FAQs

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

It frames everyday acts—cleaning, tending fire, preparing grain, and water collection—as Shiva-seva (service to Pati), supporting purity (śauca) that undergirds Linga-puja.

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

Śiva is implied as Pati, the Lord toward whom actions are offered; when the pashu’s routine work is aligned to Him, karma becomes purificatory rather than binding (pāśa-producing).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A Shaiva karma-yoga style of discipline: śauca (cleanliness) and seva as preparatory practice for puja and for loosening pāśa (bondage) in a Pashupata-oriented life.