Shloka 21

Adhyaya 8: Yogasthanas, Ashtanga Yoga, Pranayama-Siddhi, and Shiva-Dhyana leading to Samadhi

Devanagari script

स्त्रियः सदा परित्याज्याः सङ्गं नैव च कारयेत् कुणपेषु यथा चित्तं तथा कुर्याद्विचक्षणः

Transliteration

striyaḥ sadā parityājyāḥ saṅgaṃ naiva ca kārayet kuṇapeṣu yathā cittaṃ tathā kuryādvicakṣaṇaḥ

Translation

应当始终舍弃对女性（作为感官依恋的对象）的贪爱；不应培养（助长欲望的）交往。具足慧眼的修行者应训练心智，视其如尸骸一般，从而斩断激情的束缚（pasha），向主湿婆（Pati, Śiva）迈进。

Word by Word

• स्त्रियः (striyaḥ): women

• सदा (sadā): always

• परित्याज्याः (parityājyāḥ): to be renounced/abandoned

• सङ्गम् (saṅgam): attachment/association

• नैव (naiva): not at all

• च (ca): and

• कारयेत् (kārayet): should cause/should cultivate

• कुणपेषु (kuṇapeṣu): in corpses, in dead bodies

• यथा (yathā): as, just as

• चित्तम् (cittam): mind, consciousness

• तथा (tathā): so, in that manner

• कुर्यात् (kuryāt): should make/do

• विचक्षणः (vicakṣaṇaḥ): the discerning/wise person.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the teaching contextually to the sages of Naimisharanya)

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-worship as inner purification: reducing saṅga (attachment) and kama so the pashu (individual soul) becomes fit for Śiva-sevā and steady dhyāna on the Liṅga as Pati.

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

By implication, Śiva-tattva is approached through detachment from transient bodily fascination (kuṇapa-buddhi) and withdrawal from pasha; Śiva is the pure Pati realized when the mind is freed from binding passions.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A vairāgya-based yogic discipline: restraining association that triggers desire and cultivating kuṇapa-bhāvanā (seeing the body’s impermanence) to weaken pasha and stabilize meditation for Śiva-bhakti.