Shloka 14

Sadācāra–Varṇa-lakṣaṇa and Prātaḥkṛtya

Right Conduct, Social Typologies, and Morning Purification

Devanagari script

लिंगे कर्कोटमात्रं तु गुदे प्रसृतिरिष्यते । तत उत्थाय पद्धस्तशौचं गण्डूषमष्टकम्

Transliteration

liṃge karkoṭamātraṃ tu gude prasṛtiriṣyate | tata utthāya paddhastaśaucaṃ gaṇḍūṣamaṣṭakam

Translation

For cleansing, the measure is said to be only as much as the tip of a finger for the genital organ, but a full hand-span for the anus. Then, rising up, one should wash the feet and hands and perform eight mouth-rinses (gandūṣa) as a purificatory act.

Word by Word

• liṅge: in/at the liṅga (male organ)
• liṅge: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: liṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• karkoṭa-mātram: only karkoṭa-measure (a small measure)
• karkoṭa-mātram: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karkoṭa (प्रातिपदिक) + mātra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); samāsa: karkoṭa-mātra (तत्पुरुषः; ‘only the measure of a karkoṭa’)

• tu: but; indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), particle (निपात) expressing contrast/emphasis

• gude: in/at the anus
• gude: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• prasṛtiḥ: a prasṛti-measure (a handful measure)
• prasṛtiḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prasṛti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• iṣyate: is prescribed; is considered appropriate
• iṣyate: Kriya (क्रिया/predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √iṣ (इष् धातु)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), Passive voice (कर्मणि प्रयोग), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• tataḥ: then; thereafter
• tataḥ: Kāla/Deśa-adhikaraṇa (काल/देश-अधिकरण/adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb (क्रियाविशेषण) of sequence

• utthāya: having risen
• utthāya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/gerundial)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √sthā (स्था धातु) + ut- (उपसर्ग)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), utthāya; ‘having risen’

• pādahasta-śaucam: washing/cleansing of feet and hands
• pādahasta-śaucam: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāda (प्रातिपदिक) + hasta (प्रातिपदिक) + śauca (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); samāsa: pādahasta-śauca (तत्पुरुषः; ‘cleansing of feet and hands’)

• gaṇḍūṣam: mouth-rinsing; gargle
• gaṇḍūṣam: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaṇḍūṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• aṣṭakam: eight (times); eightfold
• aṣṭakam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aṣṭaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); numeral-adjective meaning ‘eightfold/eight times’, qualifying gaṇḍūṣam

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the prescribed disciplines of Śiva-worship to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Codifies bodily purification measures as preparatory sādhana for liṅga-sevā; emphasizes that grace (anugraha) is approached through disciplined conduct that reduces pāśa (impurity/karma).

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches śauca (purity) as a support for sādhana: disciplined bodily cleanliness steadies the mind, making one fit for mantra-japa and Linga-pūjā, aligning outer order with inner reverence to Pati (Śiva).

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

The Vidyeśvara/Viśveśvara section emphasizes proper preparation for Saguna Śiva worship; purification practices like washing and mouth-rinsing are presented as prerequisites before approaching the Linga with offerings and the pañcākṣara spirit of devotion.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical śauca routine is prescribed: cleanse appropriately, wash hands and feet, and perform eightfold gandūṣa (mouth-rinsing) before beginning worship, japa, or other Shaiva observances.