Shloka 53

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

Devanagari script

नमस्कारादिकं सर्वं गुरुशुश्रूषणादिकम् वस्त्रशौचविहीनात्मा ह्य् अशुचिर्नात्र संशयः

Transliteration

namaskārādikaṃ sarvaṃ guruśuśrūṣaṇādikam vastraśaucavihīnātmā hy aśucirnātra saṃśayaḥ

Translation

வணக்கம் முதலிய அனைத்தும், குருவைச் சேவித்தல் முதலியனவும்—ஆடைத் தூய்மை இல்லாத நடத்தையுடையவன் ஐயமின்றி அசுத்தன். பதி சிவனின் அருளை நாடும் பசுவிற்கு வெளி-உள் தூய்மை சிவபூஜை மற்றும் பாசுபத ஒழுக்கத்திற்கு தகுதியை அளிக்கும்.

Word by Word

• नमस्कारादिकम्: salutations and related rites

• सर्वम्: all

• गुरुशुश्रूषणादिकम्: service to the Guru and similar duties

• वस्त्रशौच: purity/cleanliness of garments

• विहीनात्मा: one whose disposition/practice is devoid (of that)

• हि: indeed

• अशुचिः: impure

• न अत्र: not here/ in this matter

• संशयः: doubt

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It states that even devotional acts like namaskāra and guru-sevā lose ritual efficacy if the worshipper neglects basic śauca—especially clean garments—thereby stressing eligibility (adhikāra) for Liṅga-pūjā.

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

By implication, Śiva as Pati is approached through ordered discipline: purity and restraint refine the Pashu and reduce pasha-like impurities, making the aspirant fit for Śiva’s grace.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Śauca as a foundational observance—clean clothing and bodily purity—supporting proper Śiva-pūjā and the preparatory discipline aligned with Pāśupata practice.