Shloka 23

अध्याय 91: अरिष्ट-लक्षण, मृत्यु-संस्कार, पाशुपत-धारणा तथा ओङ्कार-उपासना

Devanagari script

भूयोभूयस्त्रसेद्यस्तु रात्रौ वा यदि वा दिवा दीपगन्धं च नाघ्राति विद्यान्मृत्युम् उपस्थितम्

Transliteration

bhūyobhūyastrasedyastu rātrau vā yadi vā divā dīpagandhaṃ ca nāghrāti vidyānmṛtyum upasthitam

Translation

भूयो भूयः यस्तु रात्रौ वा दिवा वा सहसा त्रासं प्राप्नोति, दीपस्य गन्धं च नाघ्राति, स मृत्युम् उपस्थितं विद्यात्।

Word by Word

• भूयोभूयः: again and again

• त्रसेत्: becomes frightened/trembles

• यः तु: whoever indeed

• रात्रौ: at night

• वा: or

• यदि: if

• वा: or

• दिवा: by day

• दीपगन्धम्: the fragrance/scent of a lamp (oil-lamp)

• च: and

• न: not

• आघ्राति: smells/perceives by scent

• विद्यात्: one should know/understand

• मृत्युम्: death

• उपस्थितम्: present/approaching/standing near

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Mrityu

FAQs

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

It functions as an ariṣṭa (death-omen) teaching: recognizing the fragility of the pashu (bound soul) encourages timely turning to Shiva (Pati) through linga-puja and protective rites rather than remaining heedless.

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

By highlighting the approach of death through signs, the verse implicitly contrasts the perishable body-mind of the pashu with Shiva-tattva as the transcendent Pati—beyond decay—who grants refuge and liberation from the pasha of finitude.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A practical diagnostic used in vrata and puja contexts: sensory disturbance and recurring fear are treated as signals to intensify Shiva-upasana—japa, linga-archana, and pashupata-oriented inner steadiness (fearlessness through devotion and discipline).