Shloka 34

Adhyaya 8: Yogasthanas, Ashtanga Yoga, Pranayama-Siddhi, and Shiva-Dhyana leading to Samadhi

Devanagari script

अवगाह्यापि मलिनो ह्य् अन्तः शौचविवर्जितः शैवला झषका मत्स्याः सत्त्वा मत्स्योपजीविनः

Transliteration

avagāhyāpi malino hy antaḥ śaucavivarjitaḥ śaivalā jhaṣakā matsyāḥ sattvā matsyopajīvinaḥ

Translation

Even after immersing in water, one remains inwardly impure if devoid of true purity (śauca). Algae, fish, and other aquatic creatures live in water, yet mere dwelling in it does not make them pure. Likewise, external bathing without inner cleansing does not free the paśu from pāśa; only inner śauca aligned with devotion to Pati, Śiva, purifies.

Word by Word

• अवगाह्यापि: even after bathing/immersing

• मलिनः: impure, stained

• हि: indeed

• अन्तः: inwardly, within

• शौच-विवर्जितः: devoid of purity/cleanliness (inner discipline)

• शैवालाः: algae/water-plants

• झषकाः: fish (aquatic creatures)

• मत्स्याः: fishes

• सत्त्वाः: beings/creatures

• मत्स्य-उपजीविनः: those who live by/depending on fish (fish-eaters or fish-subsisting beings)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya; a didactic passage on śauca)

FAQs

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

It teaches that Linga-puja is not perfected by external rites alone; the devotee must cultivate inner śauca—purity of intention, mind, and conduct—so the paśu becomes fit for the grace of Pati (Śiva).

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

By implication, Śiva as Pati is the purifier who responds to inner transformation, not mere physical contact with sacred water; liberation from pāśa comes through inner purification that aligns the soul with Shiva-tattva.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights śauca as a core discipline—an inner purification essential to Pashupata-oriented practice—showing that bathing (snāna) must be joined with mental restraint, ethical conduct, and devotion for real cleansing.