Shloka 8

Devanagari script

काकः कपोतो गृध्रो वा निलीयेद्यस्य मूर्धनि क्रव्यादो वा खगो यस्य षण्मासान् नातिवर्तते

Transliteration

kākaḥ kapoto gṛdhro vā nilīyedyasya mūrdhani kravyādo vā khago yasya ṣaṇmāsān nātivartate

Translation

ഒരു മനുഷ്യന്റെ തലയിൽ കാക്ക, പ്രാവ് അല്ലെങ്കിൽ കഴുകൻ ഇരിക്കുകയോ, അല്ലെങ്കിൽ മാംസഭോജി പക്ഷി അവന്റെ സമീപത്ത് ആറുമാസം പോലും മാറാതെ നില്ക്കുകയോ ചെയ്താൽ—ഇത് മഹാ അശുഭലക്ഷണമെന്നു പ്രഖ്യാപിക്കുന്നു; പാശബന്ധിതനായ പശു (ജീവൻ) കർമപാശബലത്തിൽ ദേഹാന്തത്തോട് അടുത്തുചേരുന്നു।

Word by Word

• काकः: crow

• कपोतः: pigeon

• गृध्रः: vulture

• वा: or

• निलीयेत्: should alight/settle

• यस्य: whose

• मूर्धनि: on the head

• क्रव्यादः: flesh-eater (carrion-eating bird)

• वा: or

• खगः: bird

• यस्य: whose

• षण्मासान्: six months

• न: not

• अतिवर्तते: passes beyond/ceases to remain (does not leave)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

FAQs

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

It frames death as a karmically conditioned transition for the pashu; the implied Shaiva response is to take refuge in Pati (Shiva) through linga-bhakti, japa, and purification, so the end of embodiment becomes spiritually meaningful rather than merely fearful.

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

By highlighting the pashu’s vulnerability to pasha (karmic necessity), it implicitly points to Shiva-tattva as Pati—the transcendent Lord who alone can loosen bondage and grant auspicious passage and liberation when approached with devotion and right practice.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No single rite is named, but the verse functions as an arishta indicator prompting remedial Shaiva disciplines—linga-puja, Rudra-japa, and Pashupata-oriented inner steadiness (vairagya and smarana of Shiva) to meet impending death with clarity.