Shloka 4

उपलेपनादिकथनम्

Vastraputa-jala, Ahimsa, and Conduct in Shiva Worship

Devanagari script

जन्तुभिर् मिश्रिता ह्यापः सूक्ष्माभिस्तान्निहत्य तु यत्पापं सकलं चाद्भिर् अपूताभिश्चिरं लभेत्

Transliteration

jantubhir miśritā hyāpaḥ sūkṣmābhistānnihatya tu yatpāpaṃ sakalaṃ cādbhir apūtābhiściraṃ labhet

Translation

水にはまことに微細な生きものが交じっている。それらの微妙なる命を損なえば罪を得る。さらに不浄の水を用いれば、その罪の全分を久しく受け取ることとなる。

Word by Word

• जन्तुभिः (jantubhiḥ): by living beings

• मिश्रिताः (miśritāḥ): mixed, intermingled

• हि (hi): indeed

• आपः (āpaḥ): waters

• सूक्ष्माभिः (sūkṣmābhiḥ): by subtle/minute (beings)

• तान् (tān): those

• निहत्य (nihatya): having slain/destroyed

• तु (tu): but/indeed

• यत् (yat): whatever/that which

• पापम् (pāpam): sin/demerit

• सकलम् (sakalam): entire, complete

• च (ca): and

• अद्भिः (adbhiḥ): by waters/with water

• अपूताभिः (apūtābhiḥ): unpurified/impure

• चिरम् (ciram): for a long time

• लभेत् (labhet): one obtains/incurs

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Linga Purana teachings to the sages of Naimisharanya)

FAQs

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

It makes śuddhi (ritual purity) central to Linga-pūjā: water used for abhiṣeka should be purified and handled carefully, because impure water and careless use carry lasting pāpa that obstructs devotion and merit.

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

By implication, Shiva as Pati is approached through purity and restraint: the pashu (individual soul) must reduce pasha (bondage such as pāpa and violence) to become fit for communion with the pure, all-knowing Lord.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ahiṃsā and śaucā (cleanliness) applied to pūjā—specifically the careful purification and selection of water for Shiva-abhiṣeka, avoiding harm to subtle life and avoiding apūta (unpurified) water.