Shloka 17

यतिप्रायश्चित्तविधानम्

Ascetic Atonements and Discipline

Devanagari script

कृच्छ्रातिकृच्छ्रं कुर्वीत चान्द्रायणमथापि वा स्कन्देदिन्द्रियदौर्बल्यात् स्त्रियं दृष्ट्वा यतिर्यदि

Transliteration

kṛcchrātikṛcchraṃ kurvīta cāndrāyaṇamathāpi vā skandedindriyadaurbalyāt striyaṃ dṛṣṭvā yatiryadi

Translation

If a yati (renunciant), through weakness of the senses, has a seminal fall upon seeing a woman, he should perform the severe expiation called Kṛcchrātikṛcchra, or else undertake the Cāndrāyaṇa vow. By such tapas the paśu (bound soul) disciplines the indriyas, loosens the pāśa (bond), and turns again toward Pati—Lord Śiva.

Word by Word

• कृच्छ्रातिकृच्छ्रं: the very severe 'Kṛcchrātikṛcchra' penance

• कुर्वीत: should perform

• चान्द्रायणम्: the Cāndrāyaṇa vow (lunar-cycle fast)

• अथ अपि वा: or else

• स्कन्देत्: should have a fall / should emit semen

• इन्द्रियदौर्बल्यात्: due to weakness of the senses

• स्त्रियम्: a woman

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen

• यतिः: a renunciant, ascetic

• यदि: if

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the Sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-centered Shaiva life as grounded in purity and self-restraint: when a lapse occurs, prescribed prāyaścitta restores adhikāra (fitness) for Shiva-upāsanā and reorients the pashu toward Pati.

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

Shiva-tattva is implied as Pati—the liberating Lord—toward whom the soul must turn by removing pasha (bondage) created and strengthened by indriya-daurbalya; expiation and tapas become means to re-establish that alignment.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights prāyaścitta through Kṛcchrātikṛcchra and Cāndrāyaṇa, paired with yogic indriya-nigraha (sense-control) as essential discipline for a yati in the Pashupata-oriented Shaiva path.