Shloka 14

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

Devanagari script

नाश्लीलं कीर्तयेदेवं ब्राह्मणानामिति श्रुतिः परदोषान् परिज्ञाय न वदेदिति चापरम्

Transliteration

nāślīlaṃ kīrtayedevaṃ brāhmaṇānāmiti śrutiḥ paradoṣān parijñāya na vadediti cāparam

Translation

ಶ್ರುತಿ ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣರಿಗಾಗಿ—ಅಶ್ಲೀಲ ಅಥವಾ ಅಸಭ್ಯ ವಿಷಯವನ್ನು ವರ್ಣಿಸಬಾರದೆಂದು ಹೇಳುತ್ತದೆ; ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ಉಪದೇಶ—ಪರರ ದೋಷಗಳನ್ನು ತಿಳಿದರೂ ಅವನ್ನು ಹೇಳಬಾರದು।

Word by Word

• na: not

• aślīlam: obscene/indecent (speech)

• kīrtayet: should recount/utter

• evam: thus

• brāhmaṇānām: of brāhmaṇas

• iti: thus

• śrutiḥ: Vedic revelation/Śruti

• paradoṣān: others’ faults

• parijñāya: having known/recognized

• na: not

• vadet: should speak

• iti: thus

• ca: and

• aparam: another (teaching).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating dharma teachings within the Linga Purana discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Brahmanas
• Shruti

FAQs

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

It establishes vāk-śuddhi (purity of speech) as a prerequisite for Śiva-pūjā: avoiding obscene talk and fault-finding reduces pāśa (bondage) and makes the worshipper fit to approach Pati (Śiva).

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

Indirectly, it points to Śiva-tattva as purity and auspiciousness (śivam): the devotee aligns with that auspicious reality by restraining impure speech and abandoning slander, which are expressions of mala (impurity).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A discipline of speech-restraint (vāk-niyama)—a practical ethical limb supporting Pāśupata-style sādhanā and the inner purification required for mantra-japa and liṅga-arcana.