Shloka 35

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

Devanagari script

सदावगाह्य सलिले विशुद्धाः किं द्विजोत्तमाः तस्मादाभ्यन्तरं शौचं सदा कार्यं विधानतः

Transliteration

sadāvagāhya salile viśuddhāḥ kiṃ dvijottamāḥ tasmādābhyantaraṃ śaucaṃ sadā kāryaṃ vidhānataḥ

Translation

O best of the twice-born, even if you bathe again and again in water, how can you be truly purified? Therefore, inner purity must always be cultivated according to the ordained rule, so that the paśu may loosen the pāśa and turn toward Pati, Śiva.

Word by Word

• सदा: always

• अवगाह्य: having immersed/bathed

• सलिले: in water

• विशुद्धाः: purified/clean

• किम्: how?/what use?

• द्विजोत्तमाः: O best of the twice-born (Brahmins)

• तस्मात्: therefore

• आभ्यन्तरम्: inner/internal

• शौचम्: purity/cleanliness

• सदा: always

• कार्यम्: to be done/practised

• विधानतः: according to injunction/rite

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya, conveying dharmic teaching aligned with Shaiva discipline)

FAQs

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

It states that mere external bathing is insufficient; for Linga-puja to bear fruit, the worshipper must maintain inner purity (ābhyantara-śauca), making the mind fit for Śiva (Pati).

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

By implying that true purification is inward, it aligns with Shiva-tattva as the pure consciousness (Pati) approached through inner transformation, not only through external rites.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights śauca as a Shaiva discipline: internal cleansing of intention, thought, and conduct—supporting Pashupata-oriented self-purification alongside external ritual bathing.