Shloka 53

Shivamurti–Pratishtha Phala: Shivalaya-Nirmana, Kshetra-Mahatmya, Tirtha-Snana, and Mandala-Vidhi

Devanagari script

वापीकूपतडागाश् च शिवतीर्था इति स्मृताः स्नात्वा तेषु नरो भक्त्या तीर्थेषु द्विजसत्तमाः

Transliteration

vāpīkūpataḍāgāś ca śivatīrthā iti smṛtāḥ snātvā teṣu naro bhaktyā tīrtheṣu dvijasattamāḥ

Translation

ಓ ದ್ವಿಜಸತ್ತಮರೇ, ವಾಪಿ/ಬಾವಿ, ಕೂಪ ಮತ್ತು ತಡಾಗಗಳು ‘ಶಿವತೀರ್ಥ’ವೆಂದು ಸ್ಮೃತಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಹೇಳಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಯಾರು ಭಕ್ತಿಯಿಂದ ಆ ತೀರ್ಥಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ನಾನಮಾಡುತ್ತಾರೋ, ಅವರು ಶಿವಕೃಪೆಯನ್ನು ಪಡೆಯುತ್ತಾರೆ—ಪಶುವನ್ನು ಬಂಧಿಸುವ ಪಾಶಬಂಧ ಸಡಿಲವಾಗಿ, ಮನಸ್ಸು ಪತಿ ಸ್ವರೂಪ ಮಹಾದೇವನ ಕಡೆಗೆ ತಿರುಗುತ್ತದೆ।

Word by Word

• vāpī: stepwell/reservoir

• kūpa: well

• taḍāgāḥ: ponds/tanks

• ca: and

• śiva-tīrthāḥ: Shiva’s sacred fords/pilgrimage-waters

• iti: thus

• smṛtāḥ: are remembered/declared

• snātvā: having bathed

• teṣu: in those

• naraḥ: a man/person

• bhaktyā: with devotion

• tīrtheṣu: in the sacred places/waters

• dvija-sattamāḥ: O best of the twice-born (Brahmin sages).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It expands Shiva-bhakti beyond temple ritual by declaring even common water-sources as Shiva-tīrthas; bathing with devotion becomes an act of Shiva-oriented purification supporting Linga worship.

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

Shiva is implied as Pati—the Lord whose grace can be accessed through bhakti; sacredness is not merely geographic but arises from devotion that turns the pashu toward Shiva and away from pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Tīrtha-snana (devotional bathing) is highlighted as a purificatory upacāra that steadies the mind for Shaiva discipline—supporting Pashupata-style inner purification through outward sacred observance.