Shloka 37

अध्याय 91: अरिष्ट-लक्षण, मृत्यु-संस्कार, पाशुपत-धारणा तथा ओङ्कार-उपासना

Devanagari script

प्राचीं वा यदि वोदीचीं दिशं निष्क्रम्य वै शुचिः समे ऽतिस्थावरे देशे विविक्ते जन्तुवर्जिते

Transliteration

prācīṃ vā yadi vodīcīṃ diśaṃ niṣkramya vai śuciḥ same 'tisthāvare deśe vivikte jantuvarjite

Translation

Having become purified, one should go out toward the eastern—or else the northern—direction, and in a level, firm, secluded place, free from living creatures, one should remain (for practice). Thus the sādhaka prepares a fit ground for Pati (Śiva) to be worshiped and realized, and for the paśu (the bound soul) to loosen the pāśa (bondage) through disciplined observance.

Word by Word

• प्राचीं (prācīm): eastward direction

• वा (vā): or

• यदि (yadi): if

• वा (vā): or

• उदीचीं (udīcīm): northward direction

• दिशं (diśam): direction

• निष्क्रम्य (niṣkramya): having gone out/withdrawn to

• वै (vai): indeed

• शुचिः (śuciḥ): purified, clean (in body and mind)

• समे (same): on level ground

• अतिस्थावरे (atisthāvare): very firm, stable, unmoving

• देशे (deśe): in a place/region

• विविक्ते (vivikte): secluded, solitary

• जन्तुवर्जिते (jantuvarjite): devoid of creatures/living beings

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-puja/vidhi instructions within the Linga Purana discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It gives a core rule of Shiva-puja: the sādhaka should be purified and choose an auspicious direction (east or north) and a stable, secluded, undisturbed place—fit for installing attention on the Linga and for steady worship.

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

By insisting on purity, solitude, and steadiness, the verse points to Shiva as Pati—the transcendent Reality approached through inner stillness; when the paśu becomes steady and purified, pāśa is weakened and Shiva-tattva becomes experientially accessible.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Site-selection and preparatory discipline: bodily/mental śauca (purity), orientation (east/north), and choosing a quiet, stable place—supporting dhyāna and regulated Shiva-puja in a Pāśupata-leaning sādhanā.