Shloka 146

उमामहेश्वरव्रतं—पञ्चाक्षरमन्त्रस्य माहात्म्यं, न्यासः, जपविधिः, सदाचारः, विनियोगः

Devanagari script

आस्येन न पिबेत्तोयं तिष्ठन्नञ्जलिनापि वा वामहस्तेन शय्यायां तथैवान्यंकरेण वा

Transliteration

āsyena na pibettoyaṃ tiṣṭhannañjalināpi vā vāmahastena śayyāyāṃ tathaivānyaṃkareṇa vā

Translation

One should not drink water directly with the mouth, nor while standing even from cupped hands; nor with the left hand; nor while lying on a bed; nor in the same improper manner with the other hand. Such disciplined conduct supports purity in Śiva’s worship and steadies the paśu (individual soul) toward the Pati (Lord).

Word by Word

• आस्येन: with the mouth (directly)

• न: not

• पिबेत्: one should drink

• तोयम्: water

• तिष्ठन्: standing

• अञ्जलिना: with joined/cupped palms

• अपि: even

• वा: or

• वामहस्तेन: with the left hand

• शय्यायाम्: on a bed/while lying down

• तथा एव: likewise/also

• अन्यं: the other

• करेण: with the hand

• वा: or

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating Purāṇic injunctions to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches śauca (ritual purity) and disciplined ācāra—avoiding careless ways of drinking water—so the devotee approaches the Liṅga with reverence, restraint, and fitness for pūjā.

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

By implication, Śiva-tattva is approached through niyama and purity: when the pashu governs bodily habits and reduces rajas/tamas, the mind becomes steadier for turning toward the Pati, Śiva.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Pūjā-vidhi and ācāra-niyama: bodily discipline (how one drinks water) as a supportive observance that reinforces self-control aligned with Pāśupata-oriented purification.