Shloka 50

Kāmarūpeśvara’s Trial and Śiva’s Hidden Protection (कামरूपेश्वर-रक्षा-प्रसङ्गः)

Devanagari script

भूतप्रेतपिशाचादि दूरतश्च ततो व्रजेत् । तन्न कार्यं च यच्चैव ततो न भवति द्विजाः

Transliteration

bhūtapretapiśācādi dūrataśca tato vrajet | tanna kāryaṃ ca yaccaiva tato na bhavati dvijāḥ

Translation

From that place one should go far away from bhūtas, pretas, piśācas and the like. O twice-born ones, undertake no act there, for from such a place no auspicious accomplishment arises.

Word by Word

भूत-प्रेत-पिशाच-आदि(the group of) ghosts, spirits, piśācas, etc.

दूरतःfrom afar

चand

ततःfrom there; thence

व्रजेत्should go away

तत्that

नnot

कार्यम्to be done; effective

चand

यत्which

चand

एवindeed; just

ततःfrom that (place/condition)

नnot

भवतिbecomes; happens

द्विजाःO brāhmaṇas

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Bhīmaśaṃkara

Sthala Purana: As a preliminary ritual instruction within the Bhīmaśaṅkara episode: places dominated by bhūta-preta-piśāca influences are deemed inauspicious for sādhana; one should relocate to a śuddha-deśa fit for Śiva’s presence and liṅga-pūjā.

Significance: Emphasizes kṣetra-śuddhi: choosing a pure sacred space supports successful worship and protection from obstacles (āpad).

FAQs

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

It teaches that Shaiva worship should be performed in a sattvic, protected environment; tamasic influences (symbolized by bhūtas, pretas, and piśācas) disturb concentration and do not support auspicious spiritual fruition.

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

Linga-worship emphasizes śuddhi (purity) of place and mind; approaching Saguna Shiva through abhisheka, japa, and pūjā is best done away from inauspicious surroundings so devotion becomes steady and fruitful.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Choose a clean, sanctified space for Panchakshara japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), apply Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and wear Rudrāksha if prescribed, and avoid performing vows or rites in places felt to be fear-inducing or impure.