Shloka 57

Devanagari script

पापकञ्चुकमुत्सृज्य शिवतीर्थेषु मानवः द्विजास् त्रिषवणं स्नात्वा शिवतीर्थे सकृन्नरः

Transliteration

pāpakañcukamutsṛjya śivatīrtheṣu mānavaḥ dvijās triṣavaṇaṃ snātvā śivatīrthe sakṛnnaraḥ

Translation

पापरूपी कंचुक टाकून जो मनुष्य शिवतीर्थांत स्नान करतो—विशेषतः जो द्विज त्रिसवण-स्नान करतो—तो शिवतीर्थात एकदाच स्नान करूनही शुद्ध होतो।

Word by Word

• pāpa: sin

• kañcuka: cloak/covering

• utsṛjya: having cast off/abandoned

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

• mānavaḥ: a human being

• dvijāḥ: the twice-born (initiated)

• triṣavaṇam: three times a day (at the three savanas)

• snātvā: having bathed

• śiva-tīrthe: in a Shiva-tīrtha

• sakṛt: once

• naraḥ: a man/person

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 highlights that approaching Shiva’s sacred tīrthas with devotion functions as a powerful purifier, preparing the worshipper (pashu) for Linga-puja by removing pāpa (impurities) that obstruct Shiva-bhakti.

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

Shiva is implied as Pati—the supreme purifier whose śakti sanctifies tīrthas—so that even a single immersion, when connected to Shiva, can dissolve the pasha of sin and restore spiritual clarity.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Triṣavaṇa-snana (thrice-daily bathing) is emphasized, along with tīrtha-snana at Shiva’s holy waters—an outer rite that supports inner purification and steadiness for Shaiva sadhana.