Shloka 22

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

Devanagari script

विण्मूत्रोत्सर्गकालेषु बहिर्भूमौ यथा मतिः तथा कार्या रतौ चापि स्वदारे चान्यतः कुतः

Transliteration

viṇmūtrotsargakāleṣu bahirbhūmau yathā matiḥ tathā kāryā ratau cāpi svadāre cānyataḥ kutaḥ

Translation

露地で大便・小便をする時に、心を慎み適切な場所へと向けて保つように、性愛の交わりにおいても同じく護りの規律を保て—ただ自らの正当な妻とのみであるべきで、他にどこでそれが正しいと言えようか。

Word by Word

• viṇ: feces

• mūtra: urine

• utsarga-kāleṣu: at the times of discharging/voiding

• bahir-bhūmau: on ground outside (a proper outdoor place)

• yathā: just as

• matiḥ: mental attitude, intention, restraint of mind

• tathā: in the same way

• kāryā: should be done/maintained

• ratau: in sexual pleasure/union

• ca api: and also

• sva-dāre: with one’s own wife (lawful spouse)

• ca: and

• anyataḥ: otherwise, with another/elsewhere

• kutaḥ: how (could it be), whence (justification)?

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames moral restraint (niyama) as a prerequisite for Shaiva purity (śauca); disciplined conduct reduces pasha (bondage) so the pashu (soul) can approach Pati (Shiva) through worship with steadiness.

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

By implication, Shiva-tattva is pure and unattached; the devotee aligns with that purity by regulating desire and keeping kama within dharma, transforming passion into a controlled, consecrated force rather than bondage.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ethical discipline (yama/niyama) and brahmacharya-in-spirit for the householder—sexual conduct restricted to one’s spouse—supporting inner purity essential for Pashupata-oriented Shaiva sadhana and puja.