Shloka 67

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

Devanagari script

भूमिस्थम् उदकं शुद्धं वैतृष्ण्यं यत्र गौर्व्रजेत् अव्याप्तं यदमेध्येन गन्धवर्णरसान्वितम्

Transliteration

bhūmistham udakaṃ śuddhaṃ vaitṛṣṇyaṃ yatra gaurvrajet avyāptaṃ yadamedhyena gandhavarṇarasānvitam

Translation

Water found upon the earth is considered pure for worship—especially that from which a cow may drink to her full satisfaction. Water untainted by impure substances, and possessing agreeable fragrance, color, and taste, is fit to be offered in Śiva’s rite.

Word by Word

• bhūmistham: situated on the ground/terrestrial

• udakam: water

• śuddham: pure

• vaitṛṣṇyam: (to the point of) quenching thirst/satiation

• yatra: where

• gauḥ: a cow

• vrajet: would go/approach (to drink)

• avyāptam: not pervaded/untainted

• yat: which

• amedhyena: by impurity/unclean matter

• gandha: fragrance

• varṇa: colour/appearance

• rasa: taste

• ānvitam: endowed with/possessing

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva-puja standards as taught in the Linga Purana tradition)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It defines the practical standard for abhiṣeka water: it must be naturally pure, unpolluted, and pleasing—so the offering to Pati (Śiva) is made with śauca (ritual purity) and reverence.

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

By insisting on purity and untainted offerings, it implies Śiva as Pati—the supremely pure consciousness—approached through disciplined purification of the pashu (soul) from pasha (impurity and defilement).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritually, it highlights selecting suitable water for Śiva-abhiṣeka. Yogically (Pāśupata spirit), it underscores external śauca as a support for inner purification and steadiness in worship.