Shloka 3

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

Devanagari script

उदयार्थं तु शौचानां मुनीनामुत्तमं पदम् यस्तत्राथाप्रमत्तः स्यात् स मुनिर्नावसीदति

Transliteration

udayārthaṃ tu śaucānāṃ munīnāmuttamaṃ padam yastatrāthāpramattaḥ syāt sa munirnāvasīdati

Translation

为令清净（śauca）之光升起，牟尼得至诸牟尼之最高位。凡于此行持中警觉不怠者——彼牟尼不致沉沦（不堕落，亦不陷于系缚）。

Word by Word

• उदयार्थम् (udayārtham): for the arising/dawning

• तु (tu): indeed

• शौचानाम् (śaucānām): of purities/cleanliness (inner and outer)

• मुनीनाम् (munīnām): of sages

• उत्तमम् (uttamam): highest

• पदम् (padam): state/attainment/step

• यः (yaḥ): whoever

• तत्र (tatra): there/in that (practice)

• अथ (atha): then/indeed

• अप्रमत्तः (apramattaḥ): vigilant, not careless

• स्यात् (syāt): should be/is

• सः (saḥ): that

• मुनिः (muniḥ): sage

• न (na): not

• अवसीदति (avasīdati): sinks, falls into dejection/downfall

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 frames śauca (outer cleanliness and inner purification) and vigilant steadiness as the foundation for approaching Shiva (Pati) through worship—without negligence, the devotee-sage does not fall back into pasha (bondage).

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

By implication, Shiva-tattva is the liberating pole (Pati) toward which purity and disciplined awareness lead; when the pashu remains apramatta in sadhana, Shiva’s grace supports non-fall and upward attainment.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The practice highlighted is śauca supported by apramāda (unbroken vigilance)—a key yogic discipline aligned with Pashupata-oriented sadhana, preventing regression into impurity, distraction, and bondage.