Shloka 34

Adhyaya 89: शौचाचारलक्षणम् — सदाचार, भैक्ष्यचर्या, प्रायश्चित्त, द्रव्यशुद्धि, आशौच-निर्णय

Devanagari script

अष्टाङ्गप्रणिपातेन त्रिधा न्यस्तेन सुव्रताः त्रिःप्रदक्षिणयोगेन वन्द्यो वै ब्रह्मणो गुरुः

Transliteration

aṣṭāṅgapraṇipātena tridhā nyastena suvratāḥ triḥpradakṣiṇayogena vandyo vai brahmaṇo guruḥ

Translation

हे सुव्रताः शिष्टाः, ब्रह्मणो गुरुः स गुरुरेव अष्टाङ्गप्रणिपातेन, त्रिधा न्यस्तेन शरणागत्या, तथा भक्त्या त्रिःप्रदक्षिणया नितरां वन्दनीयः।

Word by Word

• अष्टाङ्गप्रणिपातेन: by eight-limbed prostration

• त्रिधा: threefold

• न्यस्तेन: by laying down/placing down (the body in surrender)

• सुव्रताः: O observant ones, those of good vows

• त्रिः: thrice

• प्रदक्षिणयोगेन: by the practice of circumambulation

• वन्द्यः: worthy of reverence

• वै: indeed

• ब्रह्मणः: of Brahmā

• गुरुः: the Guru/preceptor

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It establishes that proper Shiva-oriented practice begins with Guru-vandana—prostration and circumambulation—since the Guru transmits the puja-vidhi and Pashupata discipline that leads the pashu (soul) toward Pati (Shiva).

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

By highlighting reverence to the primordial Guru linked with Brahmā, it points to Shiva as the supreme Pati and original source of right knowledge (jñāna) that loosens pasha (bondage) through correct devotion and conduct.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Aṣṭāṅga-praṇipāta (full prostration) and triḥ-pradakṣiṇa (three circumambulations), performed as disciplined acts of surrender and bhakti within Shaiva puja and Pashupata-oriented observance.