Shloka 142

उमामहेश्वरव्रतं—पञ्चाक्षरमन्त्रस्य माहात्म्यं, न्यासः, जपविधिः, सदाचारः, विनियोगः

Devanagari script

राजप्रतिग्रहो घोरो बुद्ध्वा चादौ विषोपमः बुधेन परिहर्तव्यः श्वमांसं चापि वर्जयेत्

Transliteration

rājapratigraho ghoro buddhvā cādau viṣopamaḥ budhena parihartavyaḥ śvamāṃsaṃ cāpi varjayet

Translation

அரசரிடமிருந்து தானம் பெறுதல் மிகக் கொடியது; தொடக்கத்திலேயே அது விஷம் போன்றது. ஆகவே அறிவுடைய சாதகர் அதைத் தவிர்க்க வேண்டும்; நாயின் மாம்சத்தையும் விலக்க வேண்டும்.

Word by Word

• rāja: king

• pratigrahaḥ: acceptance (of gifts), receiving

• ghoraḥ: terrible, fearsome

• buddhvā: having understood

• ca: and

• ādau: in the beginning, at the outset

• viṣa-upamaḥ: comparable to poison

• budhena: by the wise/discerning person

• parihartavyaḥ: should be avoided

• śva-māṃsam: dog’s meat/flesh

• ca api: and also

• varjayet: should shun, should abstain

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating traditional dharma injunctions to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It stresses the inner purity (shaucha) and non-dependence (vairagya) required for Shiva-puja: a worshipper should avoid contaminating influences like compromising gifts and impure food, so devotion remains sattvic and fit for approaching Pati (Shiva).

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

Indirectly, it implies Shiva-tattva as supremely pure and liberating: because Pati is stainless, the pashu (bound soul) must reduce pasha (bondage) such as greed, obligation, and impurity that arise from dangerous patronage and tamasic diet.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Yama-niyama–like restraints supporting Shaiva sadhana: refusal of ethically risky donations and avoidance of impure foods, which stabilize the mind for mantra, puja, and Pashupata-oriented discipline.