Shloka 34

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

Devanagari script

ताम्बूलं तैजसम्पात्रं रेतस्सेकं सितांबरम् । दिवास्वापो हि नक्तान्नं यतीनां षड्विवर्जिताः

Transliteration

tāmbūlaṃ taijasampātraṃ retassekaṃ sitāṃbaram | divāsvāpo hi naktānnaṃ yatīnāṃ ṣaḍvivarjitāḥ

Translation

For yatis (renunciants), six things are to be avoided: chewing tāmbūla (betel), keeping shining metal vessels, wasting semen, wearing white garments, sleeping by day, and eating at night. By such restraints, the ascetic guards purity and steadiness of mind on the path to Śiva-realization.

Word by Word

• ताम्बूलम्: betel (chewing)
• ताम्बूलम्: Karta (कर्ता/subject in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ताम्बूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन (समूहगणनायां सूचीपदे)

• तैजस-सम्पात्रम्: a shining/metal vessel
• तैजस-सम्पात्रम्: Karta (कर्ता/subject in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तैजस (प्रातिपदिक) + सम्पात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः = ‘तैजसं सम्पात्रम्’ (metallic/bright vessel)

• रेतस्-सेकम्: semen emission
• रेतस्-सेकम्: Karta (कर्ता/subject in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रेतस् (प्रातिपदिक) + सेक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः = ‘रेतसः सेकः’ (semen-discharge)

• सित-अम्बरम्: white garment
• सित-अम्बरम्: Karta (कर्ता/subject in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सित (प्रातिपदिक) + अम्बर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः = ‘सितम् अम्बरम्’

• दिवा-स्वापः: sleeping by day
• दिवा-स्वापः: Karta (कर्ता/subject in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिवा (अव्यय) + स्वाप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; अव्ययीभावः = ‘दिवा स्वापः’ (day-sleep)

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निश्चय/हेतु (indeed/for)

• नक्त-अन्नम्: eating at night
• नक्त-अन्नम्: Karta (कर्ता/subject in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नक्त (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः = ‘नक्तं (रात्रौ) अन्नम्’ (night-food)

• यतीनाम्: of ascetics
• यतीनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन

• षट्: six
• षट्: Visheshana (विशेषण/of विवर्जिताः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: षष्/षट् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्यावाचक; प्रथमा, बहुवचनार्थे (with implied ‘वस्तूनि’/items)

• विवर्जिताः: are to be avoided/forbidden
• विवर्जिताः: Pratijna (प्रातिपदिकार्थ/Predicate)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि+वृज्/वर्ज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘वर्जित’ = avoided/forbidden

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Kailasa Samhita teachings to the sages, conveying Shiva’s disciplines for yatis)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Āghoramūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It defines practical restraints for a yati so the senses become quiet and the mind becomes fit for dhyana and jnana—supporting liberation through devotion and inward steadiness toward Pati (Shiva).

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

Linga-worship requires inner and outer purity; these avoidances reduce distraction, indulgence, and social display, making the renunciant’s puja and meditation more one-pointed toward Saguna Shiva and ultimately conducive to realizing Shiva beyond form.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The verse chiefly teaches restraint (yama-like discipline), especially brahmacharya and regulated food/sleep, which strengthens japa and meditation—such as steady Panchakshara japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with a pure, controlled lifestyle.