Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 3

शिवाश्रम-नित्यनैमित्तिककर्मविधिः / Śaiva Āśrama-Duties: Daily and Occasional Rites

Morning Purity & Bath Procedure

Devanagari script

अबाधे विजने देशे कुर्यादावश्यकं ततः । कृत्वा शौचं विधानेन दंतधावनमाचरेत्

Transliteration

abādhe vijane deśe kuryādāvaśyakaṃ tataḥ | kṛtvā śaucaṃ vidhānena daṃtadhāvanamācaret

Translation

In a secluded place, free from disturbance, one should first attend to the necessary bodily functions. Then, having performed purification according to proper rule, one should clean the teeth.

Word by Word

• अबाधे: in an unobstructed (place)
• अबाधे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Place)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अबाध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (देशे)

• विजने: in a secluded (place)
• विजने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Place)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (देशे)

• देशे: in a place
• देशे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• कुर्यात्: should do
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• आवश्यकम्: necessary act
• आवश्यकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आवश्यक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• ततः: thereafter
• ततः: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रमवाचक (then/thereafter)

• कृत्वा: having done
• कृत्वा: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive/Gerund), अव्यय; ‘having done’

• शौचम्: purification/cleaning (evacuation/ablution)
• शौचम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शौच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• विधानेन: by the prescribed method
• विधानेन: Karana (करण/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• दन्त-धावनम्: tooth-cleaning
• दन्त-धावनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दन्त (प्रातिपदिक) + धावन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (दन्तानां धावनम्)

• आचरेत्: should practice/perform
• आचरेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

FAQs

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

It teaches that outer cleanliness (śauca) and disciplined conduct are foundational preparations for inner purity, making the practitioner fit for Shaiva worship and yogic steadiness.

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

Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is preceded by regulated purity; this verse places basic śauca as an essential preliminary observance before approaching Saguna Shiva through ritual.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical morning discipline: attend to bodily needs in a clean, secluded place, then perform prescribed purification and hygiene—serving as the preparatory step before japa (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya), bhasma application, or pūjā.