Shloka 11

Sadācāra–Varṇa-lakṣaṇa and Prātaḥkṛtya

Right Conduct, Social Typologies, and Morning Purification

Devanagari script

जलाग्निब्राह्मणादीनां देवानां नाभिमुख्यतः । लिंगं पिधाय वामेन मुखमन्येन पाणिना

Transliteration

jalāgnibrāhmaṇādīnāṃ devānāṃ nābhimukhyataḥ | liṃgaṃ pidhāya vāmena mukhamanyena pāṇinā

Translation

While worshipping Śiva, one should not face toward water, fire, Brāhmaṇas, or the Devas. Therefore, covering the Liṅga with the left hand, one should cover one’s own face with the other hand.

Word by Word

• जल-अग्नि-ब्राह्मण-आदीनाम्: of water, fire, brāhmaṇas, etc.
• जल-अग्नि-ब्राह्मण-आदीनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जल (प्रातिपदिक) + अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक) + ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन; समाहार/सूची-समास (X-आदीनाम् = ‘of water, fire, brāhmaṇas, etc.’)

• देवानाम्: of the gods
• देवानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन

• न: not
• न: Nishedha (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय (negation)

• अभिमुख्यतः: from the front / facing them
• अभिमुख्यतः: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अभिमुख्यतः (अव्यय; अभिमुख्य-तसिल्)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb): ‘from the front/in facing position’

• लिङ्गम्: the liṅga
• लिङ्गम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लिङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• पिधाय: having covered
• पिधाय: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पि-धा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund/absolutive): ‘having covered/closed’

• वामेन: with the left (hand)
• वामेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वाम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; (instrumental) ‘with the left (hand)’

• मुखम्: the face/mouth
• मुखम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• अन्येन: with the other
• अन्येन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; ‘with the other’

• पाणिना: with the hand
• पाणिना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Establishes ritual discipline (ācāra-śuddhi) as a prerequisite for fruitful liṅga-pūjā; supports purity and humility before sacred presences (agni, jala, brāhmaṇa, deva).

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches śaucāchāra (purity of conduct) and reverence during Liṅga worship—discipline of body and gaze supports inner steadiness (bhakti with niyama), aligning the devotee with Śiva as Pati (the Lord) in a focused, respectful manner.

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

The Liṅga is the saguna support for meditation and worship; the verse prescribes a respectful posture and etiquette so the devotee’s attention remains fixed on the Liṅga, avoiding casual or irreverent orientation toward other venerable presences during the rite.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Maintain proper temple etiquette during abhiṣeka/arcana: keep the worship-space focused on the Liṅga, avoid facing revered presences while engaged in the act, and preserve modesty and concentration by covering appropriately when necessary.