Shloka 6

Sūtasya Punargamanaṃ Kāśyāṃ—Bhasma-Rudrākṣa-Tripuṇḍra-Vidhiśca

Sūta’s Return to Kāśī and the Observances of Bhasma, Rudrākṣa, and Tripuṇḍra

Devanagari script

सोपि तान्मुनिशार्दूलानभिनन्द्य स्मितोदरम् । प्रीत्या स्नात्वा जाह्नवीये जले परमपावने

Transliteration

sopi tānmuniśārdūlānabhinandya smitodaram | prītyā snātvā jāhnavīye jale paramapāvane

Translation

He too, with a gentle smile, greeted those tiger-like sages with reverence; then, out of heartfelt devotion, he bathed in the supremely purifying waters of the Jāhnavī (Gaṅgā).

Word by Word

• सः: he
• सः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (Nominative/1st), एकवचनम्; सर्वनाम

• अपि: also
• अपि: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपातः (particle); समुच्चय/अपि-अर्थे ‘also’

• तान्: those
• तान्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचनम्; सर्वनाम

• मुनि-शार्दूलान्: the tiger-like sages (best of sages)
• मुनि-शार्दूलान्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक) + शार्दूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/Genitive determinative: ‘munīnām śārdūlāḥ’); पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया (Acc./2nd), बहुवचनम्

• अभिनन्द्य: having greeted
• अभिनन्द्य: पूर्वकाल-क्रिया (Absolutive; prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-नन्द् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्तः (Gerund/Absolutive); ‘having greeted/commended’

• स्मित-उदरम्: with a gentle smile
• स्मित-उदरम्: विशेषण (Adjectival to implied action/gesture)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्मित (प्रातिपदिक) + उदर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समासः (‘स्मितम् उदरम् यस्य’/‘smiling-bellied/with a smile’); नपुंसकलिङ्गः, द्वितीया (Acc./2nd), एकवचनम्; विशेषणरूपेण

• प्रीत्या: with joy; out of affection
• प्रीत्या: करण/हेतु (Instrument/Cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रीति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गः, तृतीया-विभक्तिः (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचनम्; हेतौ/भावे

• स्नात्वा: having bathed
• स्नात्वा: पूर्वकाल-क्रिया (Absolutive; prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्ना (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्तः (Gerund/Absolutive); ‘having bathed’

• जाह्नवीये: in the Jāhnavī (Ganges)
• जाह्नवीये: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जाह्नवीय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः (Locative/7th), एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (to जले)

• जले: in the water
• जले: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, सप्तमी (Loc./7th), एकवचनम्

• परम-पावने: in the supremely purifying (water)
• परम-पावने: विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक) + पावन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समासः (‘परमं पावनम्’); नपुंसकलिङ्गः, सप्तमी (Loc./7th), एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (to जले)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha

Sthala Purana: The Gaṅgā, borne on Śiva’s matted locks, is the paradigmatic purifier; bathing in her at Kāśī is treated as especially meritorious and supportive of Śiva-worship.

Significance: Snāna in Gaṅgā at Kāśī is held to remove pāpa and prepare one for śravaṇa-kīrtana and worship, aligning the aspirant toward liberation.

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Ganga (Jahnavi)
• Sages (Munis)

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

The verse highlights humility toward realized sages and purification through sacred waters—outer cleansing that supports inner purity (śuddhi) essential for devotion to Pati (Śiva) and progress toward liberation.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

In Shaiva practice, approaching Saguna Śiva (including Liṅga worship) is preceded by śauca—purity of body and mind. Bathing in the Gaṅgā here functions as a preparatory rite that steadies the devotee for worship with reverence and bhakti.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests snāna (sacred bathing) with a devotional attitude, coupled with respectful salutation to saints; as a takeaway, one may bathe (or perform ācamana) while mentally repeating “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” to unite outer ritual with inner japa.