Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

गच्छेद् वायसपङ्क्तीभिः पांसुवर्षेण वा पुनः स्वच्छायां विकृतां पश्येच् चतुःपञ्च स जीवति

Transliteration

gacched vāyasapaṅktībhiḥ pāṃsuvarṣeṇa vā punaḥ svacchāyāṃ vikṛtāṃ paśyec catuḥpañca sa jīvati

Translation

If, while walking, one is struck by lines of crows, or again by a rain of dust, and then sees one’s own shadow appearing distorted, that person lives only for four or five more years.

Word by Word

• gacchet: should go / while going

• vāyasa-paṅktībhiḥ: by rows (flights) of crows

• pāṁsu-varṣeṇa: by a shower of dust

• vā punaḥ: or again

• sva-chāyām: one’s own shadow

• vikṛtām: deformed, altered, distorted

• paśyet: should see

• catuḥ-pañca: four or five

• saḥ: that person

• jīvati: lives (survives).

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 human life as governed by karma and nimittas (portents), urging the pashu (individual soul) to turn toward Shiva as Pati through repentance, purity, and Linga-oriented devotion when ominous signs appear.

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

Implicitly, Shiva-tattva stands as the transcendent Pati beyond fear and decay; while bodily signs forecast limited lifespan, refuge in Shiva is the Shaiva path to loosen pasha (bondage) and seek auspiciousness and liberation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Nimitta-awareness leading to prayashchitta (expiation) and intensified Shiva-sadhana—such as Linga-puja, japa, and Pashupata-style inner restraint—so the soul reorients from omens toward disciplined devotion.