Shloka 53

Shivamurti–Pratishtha Phala: Shivalaya-Nirmana, Kshetra-Mahatmya, Tirtha-Snana, and Mandala-Vidhi

Devanagari script

वापीकूपतडागाश् च शिवतीर्था इति स्मृताः स्नात्वा तेषु नरो भक्त्या तीर्थेषु द्विजसत्तमाः

Transliteration

vāpīkūpataḍāgāś ca śivatīrthā iti smṛtāḥ snātvā teṣu naro bhaktyā tīrtheṣu dvijasattamāḥ

Translation

Hỡi bậc tối thượng trong hàng nhị sinh, giếng, giếng bậc (stepwell) và ao hồ được ghi nhớ là các Śiva-tīrtha, những nơi tắm gội linh thiêng của Śiva. Khi một người tắm ở các tīrtha ấy với lòng bhakti, người ấy tiến gần ân sủng của Śiva: dần tháo gỡ sợi trói pāśa đang ràng buộc paśu (linh hồn cá thể), và hướng tâm về Pati—Đấng Chủ Tể, Śiva.

Word by Word

• vāpī: stepwell/reservoir

• kūpa: well

• taḍāgāḥ: ponds/tanks

• ca: and

• śiva-tīrthāḥ: Shiva’s sacred fords/pilgrimage-waters

• iti: thus

• smṛtāḥ: are remembered/declared

• snātvā: having bathed

• teṣu: in those

• naraḥ: a man/person

• bhaktyā: with devotion

• tīrtheṣu: in the sacred places/waters

• dvija-sattamāḥ: O best of the twice-born (Brahmin sages).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It expands Shiva-bhakti beyond temple ritual by declaring even common water-sources as Shiva-tīrthas; bathing with devotion becomes an act of Shiva-oriented purification supporting Linga worship.

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

Shiva is implied as Pati—the Lord whose grace can be accessed through bhakti; sacredness is not merely geographic but arises from devotion that turns the pashu toward Shiva and away from pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Tīrtha-snana (devotional bathing) is highlighted as a purificatory upacāra that steadies the mind for Shaiva discipline—supporting Pashupata-style inner purification through outward sacred observance.