Shloka 83

Adhyaya 8: Yogasthanas, Ashtanga Yoga, Pranayama-Siddhi, and Shiva-Dhyana leading to Samadhi

Devanagari script

अत्यन्तनिर्मले सम्यक् सुप्रलिप्ते विचित्रिते दर्पणोदरसंकाशे कृष्णागरुसुधूपिते

Transliteration

atyantanirmale samyak supralipte vicitrite darpaṇodarasaṃkāśe kṛṣṇāgarusudhūpite

Translation

Dans un lieu rendu d’une pureté extrême—bien enduit, soigneusement lissé et magnifiquement orné—brillant comme l’intérieur d’un miroir et embaumé par le fin encens d’agaru noir, qu’on dispose le culte du Liṅga.

Word by Word

• अत्यन्त-निर्मले: exceedingly pure/spotless

• सम्यक्: properly, in the right manner

• सुप्रलिप्ते: well-smeared (with purified plaster/cow-dung/clay for sanctity)

• विचित्रिते: ornamented, decorated

• दर्पण-उदर-संकाशे: resembling the interior (gleam) of a mirror, mirror-like

• कृष्ण-अगरु: black agaru (aloeswood)

• सु-धूपिते: well-fumigated/incensed, thoroughly perfumed with incense

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s Linga-puja procedure to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It establishes the core Shaiva requirement of śauca (ritual purity) and a properly prepared sacred space—clean, consecrated, and perfumed—so the devotee (paśu) approaches Pati (Shiva) with reduced rajas-tamas and fewer pasha-like impurities.

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

By emphasizing mirror-like clarity and fragrance, it points to Shiva-tattva as nirmala (stainless) and self-luminous; the worship environment symbolically reflects the inner purification needed for the soul to recognize the Pati beyond bondage (pāśa).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A preparatory puja-vidhi step: sanctifying the worship-area through cleansing, smearing, decoration, and dhūpana (incensing). Yogically, it supports pratyāhāra and sattva-sthiti—stabilizing the mind before Linga-upāsanā.