Shloka 200

उमामहेश्वरव्रतं—पञ्चाक्षरमन्त्रस्य माहात्म्यं, न्यासः, जपविधिः, सदाचारः, विनियोगः

Devanagari script

अष्टोत्तरसहस्रेण पिबेद्ब्राह्मीरसं द्विजाः ऐहिकां लभते मेधां सर्वशास्त्रधरां शुभाम्

Transliteration

aṣṭottarasahasreṇa pibedbrāhmīrasaṃ dvijāḥ aihikāṃ labhate medhāṃ sarvaśāstradharāṃ śubhām

Translation

二度生まれの者（ドヴィジャ）は、ブラーフミーの汁（brāhmī-rasa）を千八（1008）の数にて飲むべきである。そうすれば、この世における知慧の光を得て、吉祥にして、あらゆるシャーストラを保持し得る。

Word by Word

• अष्टोत्तर-सहस्रेण: with (a count of) one thousand and eight (108×?

• पिबेत्: should drink

• ब्राह्मी-रसम्: the juice/extract of brāhmī (Bacopa monnieri

• द्विजाः: the twice-born (initiated Brahmin/Kshatriya/Vaishya)

• ऐहिकाम्: pertaining to this world, worldly

• लभते: attains

• मेधाम्: intellect, retentive intelligence

• सर्व-शास्त्र-धराम्: able to hold/retain all scriptures (learning)

• शुभाम्: auspicious, beneficial.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya, within a didactic section on vrata/vidhi and merit)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It links disciplined practice (niyama) and sacred counting (1008/108-based japa-tally) with sharpening medhā, supporting accurate mantra-recitation and śāstra-understanding—key supports for proper Linga-pūjā and śaiva observance.

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

Implied is Shiva as Pati—the bestower of auspiciousness (śubha) and inner clarity—where refined intellect becomes a means to approach Shiva-tattva through correct understanding of śāstra and steady sādhana.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A medhya-rasāyana style discipline: drinking brāhmī-rasa with a sacred numerical observance (aṣṭottara-sahasra count), aligning bodily regimen with mantra-japa/niyama to strengthen dhāraṇā (retention) and learning.