Shloka 83

Adhyaya 8: Yogasthanas, Ashtanga Yoga, Pranayama-Siddhi, and Shiva-Dhyana leading to Samadhi

Devanagari script

अत्यन्तनिर्मले सम्यक् सुप्रलिप्ते विचित्रिते दर्पणोदरसंकाशे कृष्णागरुसुधूपिते

Transliteration

atyantanirmale samyak supralipte vicitrite darpaṇodarasaṃkāśe kṛṣṇāgarusudhūpite

Translation

В месте, сделанном предельно чистым — тщательно вымазанном, ровно заглаженном и красиво украшенном, сияющем, как внутренняя сторона зеркала, и благоухающем тонким дымом чёрного агарового ладана, — следует устроить поклонение Лингаму.

Word by Word

• अत्यन्त-निर्मले: exceedingly pure/spotless

• सम्यक्: properly, in the right manner

• सुप्रलिप्ते: well-smeared (with purified plaster/cow-dung/clay for sanctity)

• विचित्रिते: ornamented, decorated

• दर्पण-उदर-संकाशे: resembling the interior (gleam) of a mirror, mirror-like

• कृष्ण-अगरु: black agaru (aloeswood)

• सु-धूपिते: well-fumigated/incensed, thoroughly perfumed with incense

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s Linga-puja procedure to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It establishes the core Shaiva requirement of śauca (ritual purity) and a properly prepared sacred space—clean, consecrated, and perfumed—so the devotee (paśu) approaches Pati (Shiva) with reduced rajas-tamas and fewer pasha-like impurities.

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

By emphasizing mirror-like clarity and fragrance, it points to Shiva-tattva as nirmala (stainless) and self-luminous; the worship environment symbolically reflects the inner purification needed for the soul to recognize the Pati beyond bondage (pāśa).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A preparatory puja-vidhi step: sanctifying the worship-area through cleansing, smearing, decoration, and dhūpana (incensing). Yogically, it supports pratyāhāra and sattva-sthiti—stabilizing the mind before Linga-upāsanā.