Shloka 8

लिङ्गार्चनपूर्वकं स्नानाचमनविधिः

Snana–Achamana as Preparation for Linga-Archana

Devanagari script

त्रिविधं स्नानमाख्यातं देवदेवेन शंभुना हिताय ब्राह्मणाद्यानां चतुर्मुखसुतोत्तम

Transliteration

trividhaṃ snānamākhyātaṃ devadevena śaṃbhunā hitāya brāhmaṇādyānāṃ caturmukhasutottama

Translation

Ô le meilleur des fils du Quatre-Visages (Brahmā) : Śambhu, Seigneur des seigneurs, a enseigné le bain purificatoire en trois formes pour le bien des brāhmaṇas et de tous les autres ordres, afin que les êtres incarnés (paśu) soient purifiés des liens (pāśa) et rendus dignes du culte de Śiva.

Word by Word

• त्रिविधम्: threefold

• स्नानम्: bath, purification

• आख्यातम्: has been declared/taught

• देवदेवेन: by the God of gods

• शंभुना: by Śambhu (Śiva)

• हिताय: for the benefit/welfare

• ब्राह्मणाद्यानाम्: of Brāhmaṇas and the rest (other varṇas)

• चतुर्मुखसुतोत्तम: O best among the sons of the Four-faced (Brahmā)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating; addressing a Brahma-related interlocutor within the Purana’s dialogue frame)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shambhu
• Brahma

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It establishes that Śiva himself authoritatively teaches a threefold purification (snāna) as a prerequisite for proper Śiva-pūjā, aligning the devotee’s body-mind for Linga worship.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Śiva is presented as Devadeva (Pati), the supreme teacher who provides liberating disciplines for the welfare of embodied souls (paśu), helping them loosen bondage (pāśa) through purificatory practice.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Trividha-snāna—threefold purification—implying external cleanliness and inner sanctification as part of the preparatory discipline that supports Śaiva observance and Pāśupata-oriented practice.