Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 8

शिवाश्रम-नित्यनैमित्तिककर्मविधिः / Śaiva Āśrama-Duties: Daily and Occasional Rites

Morning Purity & Bath Procedure

Devanagari script

मलस्नानं सुगंधाद्यैः स्नानं दन्तविशोधनम् । न कुर्याद्ब्रह्मचारी च तपस्वी विधवा तथा

Transliteration

malasnānaṃ sugaṃdhādyaiḥ snānaṃ dantaviśodhanam | na kuryādbrahmacārī ca tapasvī vidhavā tathā

Translation

Um brahmacārin, um asceta e, do mesmo modo, uma viúva não devem entregar-se a banhos luxuosos com perfumes e afins, nem a limpezas de caráter cosmético, como o polimento elaborado dos dentes.

Word by Word

• मलस्नानम्: bathing with dirt/impure bath
• मलस्नानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मलस्नान (प्रातिपदिक) = मल + स्नान
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (Neuter, Accusative, Singular)

• सुगन्धाद्यैः: with perfumes etc.
• सुगन्धाद्यैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुगन्धादि (प्रातिपदिक) = सुगन्ध + आदि
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन (Masculine, Instrumental, Plural); ‘आदि’ = etc.

• स्नानम्: bath
• स्नानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (Neuter, Accusative, Singular)

• दन्तविशोधनम्: cleaning of the teeth
• दन्तविशोधनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दन्तविशोधन (प्रातिपदिक) = दन्त + विशोधन
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (Neuter, Accusative, Singular)

• न: not
• न: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (negation particle)

• कुर्यात्: should do
• कुर्यात्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद (Optative, 3rd person singular, Parasmaipada)

• ब्रह्मचारी: a celibate student
• ब्रह्मचारी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मचारिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (Masculine, Nominative, Singular)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• तपस्वी: an ascetic
• तपस्वी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस्विन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (Masculine, Nominative, Singular)

• विधवा: a widow
• विधवा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधवा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (Feminine, Nominative, Singular)

• तथा: likewise; also
• तथा: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय/तुल्यतार्थ (adverb/particle: likewise/also)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Tatpuruṣa

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Defines sāttvika restraint for specific āśramas/conditions; curbs sensory indulgence that strengthens pāśa (bondage) and supports steadiness for Śiva-bhakti and tapas.

FAQs

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

It teaches sāttvika simplicity: those committed to brahmacarya and tapas should avoid sensory indulgence and vanity, preserving inner purity and steadiness of mind for Shiva-realization (Pati-jñāna) rather than feeding pasha (bondage) through luxury.

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

Linga-worship emphasizes śauca (cleanliness) and bhakti with restraint; this verse distinguishes necessary purity from pleasure-seeking adornment, aligning the devotee’s conduct with the disciplined attitude suited to Saguna Shiva’s ritual worship and the inward turn toward Nirguna truth.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Adopt plain cleanliness and austerity, prioritizing Shiva-oriented sādhana—japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), wearing bhasma/tripuṇḍra and/or rudrākṣa where prescribed, and maintaining sense-restraint over decorative self-care.