Shiva Purana — Vidyesvara Samhita, Shloka 58

भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः

Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra

Devanagari script

अन्नधान्यजलादीनां नीचेभ्यश्च परिग्रहः । दशवेश्यामतंगीषु वृषलीषु नटीषु च

Transliteration

annadhānyajalādīnāṃ nīcebhyaśca parigrahaḥ | daśaveśyāmataṃgīṣu vṛṣalīṣu naṭīṣu ca

Translation

On ne doit pas recevoir nourriture, grains, eau et choses semblables de sources basses ou impures; de même, afin de garder la pureté requise pour l’adoration de Śiva, il faut éviter la fréquentation et la dépendance envers les prostituées et les compagnies dégradantes—telles que les femmes tenues pour hors-caste et les danseuses/actrices.

Word by Word

• अन्न-धान्य-जल-आदीनाम्: of food, grain, water, etc.
• अन्न-धान्य-जल-आदीनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्न (प्रातिपदिक) + धान्य (प्रातिपदिक) + जल (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन; सूची-द्वन्द्वः (अन्नधान्यजलानि आदीनि)

• नीचेभ्यः: from low people
• नीचेभ्यः: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नीच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (समूह/जनवाचक), पञ्चमी (5th)/चतुर्थी (4th), बहुवचन; here पञ्चमी (from)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• परिग्रहः: acceptance/taking (illicit receiving)
• परिग्रहः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परिग्रह (प्रातिपदिक; √ग्रह् धातु से)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• दश-वेश्य-मतङ्गीषु: among prostitutes and matanga-women
• दश-वेश्य-मतङ्गीषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दश (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + वेश्या (प्रातिपदिक) + मतङ्गी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), बहुवचन; सूची-द्वन्द्वः (वेश्याः मतङ्ग्यः)

• वृषलीषु: among śūdra-women
• वृषलीषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृषली (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), बहुवचन

• नटीषु: among actresses/dancers
• नटीषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नटी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha

Sthala Purana: The Kāśī teaching frames purity of sustenance (āhāra-śuddhi) and company (saṅga-śuddhi) as supports for Śiva-upāsanā; impure dependence is treated as reinforcing pāśa.

Significance: Maintaining śauca and sattvic support is presented as enabling steadiness in japa/pūjā and receptivity to Śiva’s grace in the sacred field of Kāśī.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse emphasizes śauca (purity) and saṅga-tyāga (avoiding degrading association) as practical supports for steadiness in bhakti and mantra-japa, so the devotee’s mind remains fit for Śiva-upāsanā.

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

Liṅga worship in the Vidyeśvara/Viśveśvara context stresses external and internal purity; avoiding impure support and corrupting company protects the sanctity of offerings (naivedya, jala) and the devotee’s mental focus on Saguna Śiva in the Liṅga.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Maintain disciplined intake and livelihood (do not accept impure provisions), then perform Śiva-pūjā with clean water and food-offerings, alongside steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with a purified mind.