Shloka 190

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

Devanagari script

शनैश्चरदिने स्पृष्ट्वा दीर्घायुष्यं लभेन्नरः शनैश्चरदिने ऽश्वत्थं पाणिभ्यां संस्पृशेत्सुधीः

Transliteration

śanaiścaradine spṛṣṭvā dīrghāyuṣyaṃ labhennaraḥ śanaiścaradine 'śvatthaṃ pāṇibhyāṃ saṃspṛśetsudhīḥ

Translation

On the day of Śanaiścara (Saturday), by performing the prescribed auspicious touch, a person attains long life. Therefore, on Saturday the wise should touch the aśvattha (sacred fig) tree with both hands.

Word by Word

• शनैश्चरदिने: on the day of Śanaiścara (Saturday)

• स्पृष्ट्वा: having touched

• दीर्घायुष्यं: long life, longevity

• लभेत्: obtains

• नरः: a man/person

• अश्वत्थम्: the aśvattha tree (sacred fig)

• पाणिभ्याम्: with (both) hands

• संस्पृशेत्: should touch

• सुधीः: the wise/discerning person

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shanaiścara
• Aśvattha

FAQs

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

It frames longevity (dīrghāyuṣya) as a fruit of disciplined vrata-practice aligned with Shiva’s dharma; such niyamas support steadiness for Linga-puja and inner purification of the pashu (soul).

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

Shiva-tattva is implied as the giver of auspicious results through dharmic observance: by aligning conduct with sacred time (Saturday) and sacred supports (aśvattha), the bound soul moves toward Shiva’s anugraha (grace) that loosens pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A simple vrata-aṅga (auxiliary observance): on Saturday, reverently touching the aśvattha with both hands as an auspicious act for āyuḥ (life-force/longevity), supporting steadiness for further puja and sādhanā.