Shloka 68

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

Devanagari script

वत्सः शुचिः प्रस्रवणे शकुनिः फलपातने स्वदारास्यं गृहस्थानां रतौ भार्याभिकाङ्क्षया

Transliteration

vatsaḥ śuciḥ prasravaṇe śakuniḥ phalapātane svadārāsyaṃ gṛhasthānāṃ ratau bhāryābhikāṅkṣayā

Translation

In the matter of bodily discharge, the calf is an omen of purity; in the falling of fruit, the bird is the omen. For householders, desire for one’s own lawful wife is declared proper in the act of union, when it arises from longing for the wife herself.

Word by Word

• वत्सः: a calf

• शुचिः: purity, auspiciousness

• प्रस्रवणे: in the flowing/discharge (prasravaṇa)

• शकुनिः: a bird/omen-sign

• फलपातने: in the falling of fruit

• स्वदारास्यम्: devotion/attachment to one’s own wife (lawful spouse)

• गृहस्थानाम्: of householders

• रतौ: in sexual union, in love-making

• भार्याभिकाङ्क्षया: through desire/longing for the wife

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating traditional śakuna/ācāra indications to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

FAQs

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

It frames gṛhastha conduct as part of Śaiva purity (śauca) and dharma: disciplined, lawful life supports steadiness for Shiva-pūjā and loosens pasha (bondage) through right conduct.

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

Indirectly, it points to Shiva as Pati—the regulator of dharma and inner purity—by prescribing ordered conduct where desire is aligned with righteousness rather than bondage-producing indulgence.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Śauca (purificatory discipline) and sense-restraint for householders—ethical foundations that prepare the pashu (soul) for Śaiva worship and, in a broader sense, Pāśupata-oriented self-mastery.