Shloka 8

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

Devanagari script

काकः कपोतो गृध्रो वा निलीयेद्यस्य मूर्धनि क्रव्यादो वा खगो यस्य षण्मासान् नातिवर्तते

Transliteration

kākaḥ kapoto gṛdhro vā nilīyedyasya mūrdhani kravyādo vā khago yasya ṣaṇmāsān nātivartate

Translation

If a crow, a pigeon, or a vulture settles upon a man’s head—or if a flesh-eating bird lingers near him and does not depart even for six months—this is declared a most grave omen: the paśu (bound soul) draws near the end of embodied life under the force of pāśa (karmic bonds).

Word by Word

• काकः: crow

• कपोतः: pigeon

• गृध्रः: vulture

• वा: or

• निलीयेत्: should alight/settle

• यस्य: whose

• मूर्धनि: on the head

• क्रव्यादः: flesh-eater (carrion-eating bird)

• वा: or

• खगः: bird

• यस्य: whose

• षण्मासान्: six months

• न: not

• अतिवर्तते: passes beyond/ceases to remain (does not leave)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

FAQs

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

It frames death as a karmically conditioned transition for the pashu; the implied Shaiva response is to take refuge in Pati (Shiva) through linga-bhakti, japa, and purification, so the end of embodiment becomes spiritually meaningful rather than merely fearful.

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

By highlighting the pashu’s vulnerability to pasha (karmic necessity), it implicitly points to Shiva-tattva as Pati—the transcendent Lord who alone can loosen bondage and grant auspicious passage and liberation when approached with devotion and right practice.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No single rite is named, but the verse functions as an arishta indicator prompting remedial Shaiva disciplines—linga-puja, Rudra-japa, and Pashupata-oriented inner steadiness (vairagya and smarana of Shiva) to meet impending death with clarity.