Shloka 69

Kālajñāna (Knowledge of Time) and Mṛtyu-cihna (Signs of Death): Śiva’s Instruction to Umā

Devanagari script

वामचारः समाख्यातो दक्षिणं शृणु सांप्रतम् । अष्टाविंशप्रवाहेण तिथिमानेन जीवति

Transliteration

vāmacāraḥ samākhyāto dakṣiṇaṃ śṛṇu sāṃpratam | aṣṭāviṃśapravāheṇa tithimānena jīvati

Translation

Así ha sido descrito el curso hacia la izquierda (vāmacāra). Ahora, en este mismo momento, escucha el curso hacia la derecha (dakṣiṇa). Avanza por la corriente de veintiocho y se rige por la medida de los tithi, los días lunares.

Word by Word

वाम-चारःthe left-hand practice

समाख्यातःis called

दक्षिणम्the right (path)

शृणुhear

सांप्रतम्now

अष्टा-विṃश-प्रवाहेणby the flow/cycle of twenty-eight

तिथि-मानॆनby the measure of tithis (lunar days)

जीवतिlives/continues

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

FAQs

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

The verse highlights that Shaiva practice is not arbitrary: spiritual discipline is aligned with cosmic order (kāla). By pointing to tithi-based regulation, it emphasizes niyama—structured observance that supports purity, steadiness, and progress toward Shiva (Pati) in a Shaiva Siddhanta sense.

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

Linga worship in the Shiva Purana is often performed with attention to auspicious timings (tithis, vrata days, monthly observances). This verse signals that the ‘rightward’ regulated mode of practice honors Saguna Shiva through orderly ritual, calendar-based vows, and disciplined worship.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests tithi-observant worship: performing Shiva-puja, vrata, japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and related disciplines on prescribed lunar days (e.g., pradosha, chaturdashi/Mahashivratri), keeping practice aligned with the lunar sacred calendar.