Shloka 30

Kṣaura-Snāna-Vidhi — Rite of Tonsure/Shaving and Purificatory Bath (Śaiva Procedure)

Devanagari script

ततोसौ दृढचेतस्को यतिः स्ववृषसंस्थितः । भिक्षार्थम्प्रव्रजेच्छुद्धो विप्रवर्गेषु साधुषु

Transliteration

tatosau dṛḍhacetasko yatiḥ svavṛṣasaṃsthitaḥ | bhikṣārthampravrajecchuddho vipravargeṣu sādhuṣu

Translation

Thereafter, that steadfast-minded ascetic, established in his own sacred discipline, set forth in purity to seek alms among the righteous communities of brāhmaṇas and sādhus.

Word by Word

• ततः: then, thereafter
• ततः: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• असौ: that one (he)
• असौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असद्/अदस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular); सर्वनाम (pronoun)

• दृढचेतस्कः: firm-minded
• दृढचेतस्कः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दृढ-चेतस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular); कर्मधारयः—दृढं चेतः यस्य/दृढचेताः (firm-minded)

• यतिः: ascetic
• यतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular)

• स्ववृषसंस्थितः: seated on his own bull
• स्ववृषसंस्थितः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व-वृष-संस्थित (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्ताधारित)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular); भूतकृदन्त (past participle) ‘संस्थित’ (from सम्-स्था धातु), तत्पुरुषः—स्वस्य वृषे (वृषभे) संस्थितः (seated on his bull)

• भिक्षार्थम्: for alms
• भिक्षार्थम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/उद्देश्य)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: भिक्षा-अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समासः; द्वितीया-एकवचनरूपेण अव्ययवत्—भिक्षायै अर्थम् (for the sake of alms)

• प्रव्रजेत्: should go forth (as a mendicant)
• प्रव्रजेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-√व्रज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular)

• शुद्धः: pure
• शुद्धः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular); विशेषणम्—यतिः/असौ (qualifies subject)

• विप्रवर्गेषु: among groups of brāhmaṇas
• विप्रवर्गेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र-वर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), सप्तमी विभक्ति (Locative/7th), बहुवचन (plural); तत्पुरुषः—विप्राणां वर्गेषु (among groups of brāhmaṇas)

• साधुषु: among the virtuous (ones)
• साधुषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: साधु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), सप्तमी विभक्ति (Locative/7th), बहुवचन (plural); विशेषणभावे—विप्रवर्गेषु (qualifies)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Bhikshatana

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Mendicancy undertaken in purity and steadfastness is presented as a Śaiva discipline supporting detachment and receptivity to grace; merit accrues through humility and dharma-aligned living.

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Brahmanas
• Sadhus

FAQs

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

It presents the Shaiva ideal of steadiness (dṛḍha-cetas) and purity (śuddhi) in renunciation: the seeker lives by self-restraint and humble dependence, weakening ego and attachments so the soul (paśu) may turn toward Shiva (Pati).

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

A mendicant life supported by alms protects the mind from possessiveness and supports single-pointed devotion; such inner śuddhi is held to be the true preparation for Linga-worship—offering one’s conduct and consciousness to Saguna Shiva as disciplined service.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is vrata-based living—purity, restraint, and humble bhikṣā—supported by japa and meditation; in Shaiva practice this is commonly paired with Panchakshara japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and a life of simplicity.