Shloka 36

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

Devanagari script

धातुशून्यबिलक्षेत्रक्षुद्रमन्त्रोपजीवनम् विषग्रहविडम्बादीन् वर्जयेत् सर्वयत्नतः

Transliteration

dhātuśūnyabilakṣetrakṣudramantropajīvanam viṣagrahaviḍambādīn varjayet sarvayatnataḥ

Translation

ధాతువులేని గనులు/గుంతల్లో పని, నికృష్ట క్షేత్రాల సాగు, చిన్నచిన్న మంత్రవ్యాపారంతో జీవనం, అలాగే విషప్రయోగం, పరధన గ్రహణం వంటి మోసాలు—ఇవన్నీ సమస్త యత్నంతో వర్జించవలెను।

Word by Word

• धातु-शून्य: devoid of ore/mineral

• बिल: pit, mine, cavern

• क्षेत्र: field, land for cultivation

• क्षुद्र: petty, base, inferior

• मन्त्र-उपजीवनम्: livelihood by means of mantras (selling/using mantras for gain)

• विष: poison

• ग्रह: seizure, taking, grasping (also ‘graha’ as affliction—here ‘seizing’ fits the list)

• विडम्ब: deception, fraud, imposture

• आदीन्: and others of that kind

• वर्जयेत्: one should avoid

• सर्व-यत्नतः: with all effort, completely

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Śaiva conduct and puja-dharma to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It states that Śiva-arcana must be supported by śuddha-ājīvikā (pure livelihood). Fraud, harm, and “mantra-for-profit” practices pollute the worshipper’s intention and weaken the efficacy of Linga-puja.

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

By implication, Śiva as Pati is approached through purity and truth. When the paśu chooses deceitful gain, paśa strengthens; when the paśu chooses dharmic restraint, the path toward Śiva’s grace and liberation clears.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Puja-śuddhi through ethical discipline: renouncing harmful trades, deception, and exploitative mantra-usage—an essential preparatory niyama aligned with Pāśupata-oriented self-purification.