Shloka 19

Adhyaya 89: शौचाचारलक्षणम् — सदाचार, भैक्ष्यचर्या, प्रायश्चित्त, द्रव्यशुद्धि, आशौच-निर्णय

Devanagari script

अब्बिन्दुं यः कुशाग्रेण मासि मासि समश्नुते न्यायतो यश्चरेद्भैक्ष्यं पूर्वोक्तात्स विशिष्यते

Transliteration

abbinduṃ yaḥ kuśāgreṇa māsi māsi samaśnute nyāyato yaścaredbhaikṣyaṃ pūrvoktātsa viśiṣyate

Translation

കുശാഗ്രത്തിൽ നിന്നു മാസംതോറും ജലത്തിന്റെ ഒരു തുള്ളി മാത്രം സ്വീകരിക്കുകയും, ധർമ്മാനുസൃതമായി ലഭിച്ച ഭിക്ഷയിൽ ജീവിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നവൻ—മുൻപറഞ്ഞ সাধകനേക്കാൾ ശ്രേഷ്ഠൻ ആകുന്നു।

Word by Word

• abbindum: a drop of water

• yaḥ: who

• kuśāgreṇa: with/from the tip of kuśa grass

• māsi māsi: month after month

• samaśnute: eats/partakes (subsists on)

• nyāyataḥ: by justice, rightly, lawfully

• yaḥ: who

• caret: would practice/undertake

• bhaikṣyam: alms-living, mendicancy

• pūrvoktāt: than the one mentioned earlier

• saḥ: he

• viśiṣyate: is distinguished/excels/is superior

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the vrata-discipline as received in the Purana tradition)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It elevates inner purity and disciplined austerity as integral to Shaiva devotion—showing that worship of Pati (Shiva) is strengthened by restraint, lawful conduct, and minimal dependence on sense-pleasures.

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

By praising strict self-control and dharmic living, the verse implies Shiva as Pati—the supreme Lord who is approached not merely by external offerings, but through sattva, niyama, and purification that loosen pasha (bondage) upon the pashu (soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

An ascetic vrata of extreme moderation—subsisting on a single water-drop taken with kuśa—and nyāya-bhaikṣya (righteous mendicancy), aligning with Shaiva tapas supportive of Pashupata-style renunciation and sense-restraint.