Shloka 7

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

Devanagari script

अग्रतः पृष्ठतो वापि खण्डं यस्य पदं भवेत् पांसुके कर्दमे वापि सप्तमासान्स जीवति

Transliteration

agrataḥ pṛṣṭhato vāpi khaṇḍaṃ yasya padaṃ bhavet pāṃsuke kardame vāpi saptamāsānsa jīvati

Translation

If a person’s footprint becomes broken—whether at the front or at the back—whether on dust or even in mud, he survives only for seven months. This sign is taught as a grave portend under the governance of Pati (Śiva), who loosens or tightens the pāśa (bond) according to karma.

Word by Word

• agrataḥ: in front

• pṛṣṭhataḥ: behind

• vā api: or even

• khaṇḍam: broken, fractured

• yasya: of whom

• padam: footprint/step

• bhavet: becomes

• pāṁsuke: on dust/sand

• kardame: in mud

• vā api: or even

• sapta: seven

• māsān: months

• saḥ: he

• jīvati: lives/survives

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames bodily signs (nimittas) as karmic indicators under Śiva’s lordship; a devotee is urged to intensify Liṅga-pūjā, japa, and expiatory rites to seek Śiva’s grace and purification.

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

Śiva is implied as Pati—the sovereign who administers the fruit of karma; the pashu (individual soul) experiences time-bound outcomes unless bondage is loosened through devotion, knowledge, and Śiva’s anugraha (grace).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Nimitta-based vigilance leading to prayāścitta: increased Liṅga-arcana, Rudra-japa, and inner restraint aligned with Pāśupata discipline to cut pasha and stabilize the pashu in Śiva-bhakti.