Shloka 42

Adhyaya 89: शौचाचारलक्षणम् — सदाचार, भैक्ष्यचर्या, प्रायश्चित्त, द्रव्यशुद्धि, आशौच-निर्णय

Devanagari script

देवद्रोहगुरुद्रोहात् कोटिमात्रेण शुध्यति महापातकशुद्ध्यर्थं तथैव च यथाविधि

Transliteration

devadrohagurudrohāt koṭimātreṇa śudhyati mahāpātakaśuddhyarthaṃ tathaiva ca yathāvidhi

Translation

For the grave offense of betraying the Devas or one’s Guru, purification is attained by performing the prescribed expiatory acts in a ‘koṭi’ measure (a vast number), according to rule. Likewise, for cleansing the great sins (mahāpātakas), one should carry out the rites exactly as enjoined.

Word by Word

• देवद्रोह (devadroha): hostility/treachery toward the Devas

• गुरुद्रोहात् (gurudrohāt): from betraying the Guru

• कोटिमात्रेण (koṭimātreṇa): by a koṭi measure/through an immense number

• शुध्यति (śudhyati): is purified

• महापातकशुद्ध्यर्थम् (mahāpātaka-śuddhyartham): for the purpose of purifying great sins

• तथैव (tathaiva): in the same manner/likewise

• च (ca): and

• यथाविधि (yathāvidhi): according to the proper injunction/rite.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating prescribed expiations within the Linga Purana discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Guru

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that Shaiva purification is not casual: even after serious transgressions like devadroha or gurudroha, cleansing is approached through large-scale, rule-bound prayashchitta performed yathāvidhi—supporting the integrity required for effective Linga-puja.

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

Implicitly, it presents Shiva’s order (vidhi) as a precise dharmic framework where pāśa (bondage through sin) can be attenuated by disciplined action; purification becomes possible when the pashu aligns conduct with the ordained path that leads toward Pati.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Prāyaścitta performed in great measure (koṭi-mātra) and strictly according to injunction (yathāvidhi), forming the ethical-ritual foundation that supports Pashupata-oriented discipline and eligibility for deeper Shiva-upāsanā.