Shloka 57

Dehāśucitā-vicāraḥ

Inquiry into the Impurity of the Body

Devanagari script

यादृशं मन्यते सौख्यं गंडे पूतिविनिर्गमात् । तादृशं स्त्रीषु मन्तव्यं नाधिकं तासु विद्यते

Transliteration

yādṛśaṃ manyate saukhyaṃ gaṃḍe pūtivinirgamāt | tādṛśaṃ strīṣu mantavyaṃ nādhikaṃ tāsu vidyate

Translation

गंडातून दुर्गंधीयुक्त पू बाहेर पडल्यावर जसा सुखाचा भास होतो, तसाच तथाकथित सुख स्त्रियांमध्ये मानावा; इंद्रियभोगाच्या दृष्टीने त्यांच्यात त्याहून अधिक काही नाही.

Word by Word

यादृशम्of what kind

मन्यतेthinks/considers

सौख्यम्pleasure

गण्डेin a boil/abscess

पूतिfoul/putrid

विनिर्गमात्from the discharge/oozing

तादृशम्such (of that kind)

स्त्रीषुin women

मन्तव्यम्should be considered

नnot

अधिकम्more/greater

तासुin them (in those women)

विद्यतेexists/is found

Speaker

Lord Shiva

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

The verse is a stark Shaiva teaching on vairagya: sense-pleasure is portrayed as impure and ultimately unsatisfying, urging the seeker to turn from pasha (bondage through desire) toward Shiva-realization, where lasting bliss (ānanda) is found.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

By devaluing transient sensual pleasure, the text redirects attention to Saguna Shiva worship—Linga-puja, mantra-japa, and devotion—as purifying disciplines that lift the mind from attachment to the contemplation of Pati (Shiva), the liberating Lord.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is cultivation of dispassion supported by Shiva-sadhana—Panchakshara japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), meditation on the Linga, and observances like Mahashivratri fasting and vigil to restrain the senses and steady the mind.