Shloka 6

लिङ्गार्चनपूर्वकं स्नानाचमनविधिः

Snana–Achamana as Preparation for Linga-Archana

Devanagari script

शैलादिरुवाच अथ स्नानविधिं वक्ष्ये ब्राह्मणानां हिताय च सर्वपापहरं साक्षाच् छिवेन कथितं पुरा

Transliteration

śailādiruvāca atha snānavidhiṃ vakṣye brāhmaṇānāṃ hitāya ca sarvapāpaharaṃ sākṣāc chivena kathitaṃ purā

Translation

ശൈലാദി പറഞ്ഞു—ഇപ്പോൾ ബ്രാഹ്മണരുടെ ഹിതത്തിനായി സ്നാനവിധി ഞാൻ പറയും. ഇത് സർവ്വപാപഹരം; പൂർവ്വം സാക്ഷാത് ശിവൻ തന്നെ ഉപദേശിച്ചതാണ്.

Word by Word

• शैलादिः: Śailādi (the speaker)

• उवाच: said

• अथ: now/then

• स्नानविधिम्: the rule/method of bathing

• वक्ष्ये: I shall explain

• ब्राह्मणानाम्: of the brāhmaṇas

• हिताय: for the benefit/welfare

• च: and

• सर्वपापहरम्: remover of all sins

• साक्षात्: directly/in person

• शिवेन: by Śiva

• कथितम्: taught/declared

• पुरा: formerly/long ago

Speaker

Śailādi

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames ritual bathing (snāna-vidhi) as a Shaiva preparatory discipline: purification of the worshipper before approaching the Linga, grounded in Śiva’s own instruction.

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

Śiva is presented as the direct revealer of liberating dharma—Pati who teaches means of purification that loosen pāśa (bondage) for the pashu (individual soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Snāna-vidhi (ritual bathing) is highlighted as a śauca-based practice that supports Pāśupata-aligned worship by cleansing impurities prior to mantra, pūjā, and meditation.