Shloka 51

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

Devanagari script

गन्धवर्णरसैर्दुष्टम् अशुचिस्थानसंस्थितम् पङ्काश्मदूषितं चैव सामुद्रं पल्वलोदकम्

Transliteration

gandhavarṇarasairduṣṭam aśucisthānasaṃsthitam paṅkāśmadūṣitaṃ caiva sāmudraṃ palvalodakam

Translation

Water tainted in smell, colour, and taste—standing in an unclean place, fouled by mud and stones, whether sea-water or stagnant pond-water—should be regarded as impure for worship.

Word by Word

• गन्ध-वर्ण-रसैः: by smell, colour, and taste

• दुष्टम्: corrupted/tainted

• अशुचि-स्थान-संस्थितम्: situated/collected in an impure place

• पङ्क: mud/slime

• अश्म: stone/grit

• दूषितम्: polluted/defiled

• च एव: and indeed

• सामुद्रम्: sea-water

• पल्वल-उदकम्: pond/stagnant water

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-puja guidelines within the Linga Purana tradition)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It defines unacceptable water for abhiṣeka and offering, emphasizing śauca (ritual purity) so that the devotee’s offering aligns with Shiva’s sanctity in Linga-puja.

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

By insisting on pure offerings, it implies Shiva as Pati—the supremely pure Lord—approached through disciplined purity that helps the pashu (soul) loosen pasha (bondage) via right conduct.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Puja-vidhi centered on śauca: selecting clean, untainted water for worship; this outer discipline supports inner steadiness in Pashupata-oriented sadhana.