Shloka 7

लिङ्गार्चनपूर्वकं स्नानाचमनविधिः

Snana–Achamana as Preparation for Linga-Archana

Devanagari script

अनेन विधिना स्नात्वा सकृत्पूज्य च शङ्करम् ब्रह्मकूर्चं च पीत्वा तु सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

Transliteration

anena vidhinā snātvā sakṛtpūjya ca śaṅkaram brahmakūrcaṃ ca pītvā tu sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

Translation

Tắm gội theo nghi thức này, rồi chí thành lễ bái Śaṅkara dù chỉ một lần, lại uống “brahma-kūrca” là thức uống đã được gia trì, thì chúng sinh bị trói buộc (paśu) được giải thoát khỏi mọi tội lỗi—những sợi dây pāśa ngăn che sự chứng ngộ Śiva.

Word by Word

• अनेन: by this

• विधिना: method/rite

• स्नात्वा: having bathed

• सकृत्: once/even a single time

• पूज्य: having worshipped

• च: and

• शङ्करम्: Śaṅkara (Shiva)

• ब्रह्मकूर्चम्: brahma-kūrca (a sanctified purificatory drink/mixture used in rites)

• च: and

• पीत्वा: having drunk

• तु: indeed/then

• सर्वपापैः: from all sins

• प्रमुच्यते: is completely freed/released

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-puja procedures to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shankara

FAQs

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

It states that proper snāna (ritual purification) followed by even a single sincere act of worship to Śaṅkara, together with a sanctioned purificatory intake (brahma-kūrca), functions as a prayāścitta that cleanses papa and prepares the devotee for effective liṅga-pūjā.

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

Śiva is implied as Pati—the liberating Lord—whose grace, accessed through correct vidhi and devotion, dissolves the pāsas (bondage) manifesting as sin and obstruction, enabling the paśu’s movement toward purity and realization.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A Shaiva purification sequence: vidhi-snana (prescribed bath), sakṛt-pūjā (even one-time worship) of Śaṅkara, and drinking brahma-kūrca as a ritual expiation supporting disciplined Shiva-upāsanā (often aligned with Pāśupata-style purification before deeper practice).