Shloka 28

लिङ्गार्चनपूर्वकं स्नानाचमनविधिः

Snana–Achamana as Preparation for Linga-Archana

Devanagari script

प्रदक्षिणं ततः कुर्याद् धिंसापापप्रशान्तये एवं संक्षेपतः प्रोक्तं स्नानाचमनमुत्तमम्

Transliteration

pradakṣiṇaṃ tataḥ kuryād dhiṃsāpāpapraśāntaye evaṃ saṃkṣepataḥ proktaṃ snānācamanamuttamam

Translation

ततः प्रदक्षिणं कुर्याद् धिंसापापप्रशान्तये। एवं संक्षेपतः प्रोक्तं स्नानाचमनमुत्तमम्॥

Word by Word

• प्रदक्षिणम्: circumambulation (clockwise reverential circuit)

• ततः: thereafter

• कुर्यात्: should do/perform

• हिंसा: injury, violence

• पाप: sin, demerit

• प्रशान्तये: for pacification, for calming/cessation

• एवम्: thus

• संक्षेपतः: briefly, in summary

• प्रोक्तम्: has been declared/taught

• स्नान-आचमनम्: bathing and ācamana (ritual sipping for purification)

• उत्तमम्: supreme, most excellent

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 places pradakṣiṇā after purification (snāna and ācamana) as a key act of reverence, specifically aimed at calming the karmic stain of hiṃsā (injury), aligning the worshipper (paśu) toward Śiva (Pati).

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

Śiva-tattva is implied as the purifying refuge: by turning around the sacred center (the Linga as Pati’s sign), the paśu’s impurities and bonds (pāśa) are soothed, preparing consciousness for grace-oriented worship.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritual pradakṣiṇā following snāna and ācamana—an outer rite that supports inner discipline by cultivating humility, non-harm, and focused devotion central to Shaiva puja practice.