Shloka 197

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

Devanagari script

जप्त्वायुतं च तत्स्नानाद् रोगाणां भेषजं भवेत् अष्टाविंशज्जपित्वान्नम् अश्नीयाद् अन्वहं शुचिः

Transliteration

japtvāyutaṃ ca tatsnānād rogāṇāṃ bheṣajaṃ bhavet aṣṭāviṃśajjapitvānnam aśnīyād anvahaṃ śuciḥ

Translation

Having performed the mantra-japa ten thousand times and then bathing accordingly, it becomes a true remedy for diseases. And after repeating it twenty-eight times, one should eat one’s food each day while remaining pure—thus the paśu (embodied soul) aligns with the auspicious current of Pati, Lord Śiva.

Word by Word

• japtvā: having recited (japa)

• āyutam: ten thousand

• ca: and

• tat-snānāt: from/after that bathing

• rogāṇām: of diseases

• bheṣajam: medicine, remedy

• bhavet: becomes

• aṣṭāviṃśat: twenty-eight

• japitvā: having recited

• annam: food

• aśnīyāt: one should eat

• anvaham: every day

• śuciḥ: pure, clean

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating ritual instruction within the Linga Purana tradition)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames japa and post-japa bathing as a Shaiva purification rite, making the devotee’s body-mind fit for Linga-upasana and turning daily life (even eating) into regulated worship.

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

Śiva is implied as Pati—the supreme source of śuddhi (purification) and anugraha (grace)—whose mantra, when properly practiced, transforms impurity and suffering into well-being and spiritual alignment.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A niyama-based practice: prescribed counts of mantra-japa, followed by snāna (ritual bath), and a daily discipline of reciting the mantra (28 times) before taking food, maintaining śauca (purity).