Shloka 45

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

Devanagari script

लङ्घने समयानां तु अभक्ष्यस्य च भक्षणे अवाच्यवाचने चैव सहस्राच्छुद्धिरुच्यते

Transliteration

laṅghane samayānāṃ tu abhakṣyasya ca bhakṣaṇe avācyavācane caiva sahasrācchuddhirucyate

Translation

但若违犯所定戒行，食用禁物，或说出不当之语，则说当以千遍之忏悔赎净；使被缚之灵（paśu）复得堪任礼敬湿婆，并在主宰帕提（Pati）之下趋向解脱之道。

Word by Word

• लङ्घने: in the transgression/overstepping

• समयानाम्: of vows, conventions, prescribed observances

• तु: indeed/but

• अभक्ष्यस्य: of what is not to be eaten/forbidden food

• च: and

• भक्षणे: in eating/consuming

• अवाच्यवाचने: in speaking what should not be spoken (improper/unspeakable speech)

• चैव: and also

• सहस्रात्: by/through a thousand (i.e., thousandfold measure)

• शुद्धिः: purification

• उच्यते: is said/declared

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It states that violations of vows, forbidden diet, and improper speech require strong expiation to regain śuddhi (ritual-spiritual purity), which is essential to approach the Liṅga with adhikāra (eligibility) for effective Śiva-pūjā.

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

By implication, Śiva as Pati is the pure Lord who is approached through śuddhi; the paśu bound by pasha (faults created by conduct, food, and speech) must be cleansed to align with Śiva-tattva’s purity and liberating grace.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Prāyaścitta (expiatory discipline)—described as a “thousandfold” purification—highlighting the Pāśupata emphasis on restraint of conduct, diet, and speech as practical means to weaken bondage (pāśa) and restore worship-eligibility.