Shloka 23

योगान्तरायाः, औपसर्गिकसिद्धयः, परवैराग्येन शैवप्रसादः

Devanagari script

संत्याज्यं सर्वथा सर्वम् औपसर्गिकमात्मनः पैशाचे पार्थिवं चाप्यं राक्षसानां पुरे द्विजाः

Transliteration

saṃtyājyaṃ sarvathā sarvam aupasargikamātmanaḥ paiśāce pārthivaṃ cāpyaṃ rākṣasānāṃ pure dvijāḥ

Translation

因此，诸二生者啊，应当彻底舍离一切染污自我的侵袭之力——或由传染与障碍之势(upasarga)而起，或由似毗舍遮(piśāca)之不净而生，或由罗刹(rākṣasa)居处所带来的粗重地性污秽——使得兽魂(pashu，系缚之灵)仍堪为礼敬湿婆(Śiva)与奉行帕修帕塔(Pāśupata)戒行之器。

Word by Word

• saṃtyājyam: must be completely abandoned

• sarvathā: in every way/utterly

• sarvam: all

• aupasargikam: arising from upasarga (affliction/contagion/obstructive influence)

• ātmanaḥ: of oneself/of the embodied self

• paiśāce: connected with piśācas/ghoulish impurity

• pārthivam: earthly, gross, material taint

• ca api: and also

• rākṣasānām: of rākṣasas

• pure: in the city/abode

• dvijāḥ: O twice-born (brāhmaṇas and other initiated).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating puranic injunctions to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Piśāca
• Rākṣasa

FAQs

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

It states that the worshipper must renounce all sources of impurity and obstructive influences, because fitness (adhikāra) and śauca protect the sanctity of Liṅga-pūjā and keep the pashu receptive to Śiva’s grace (anugraha).

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

By implication, Śiva as Pati is the supremely pure reality; approaching Him requires the pashu to withdraw from pasha-like defilements (grossness, fear, contamination, and tamasic influences) that cloud right knowledge and devotion.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights śauca (purificatory discipline) and avoidance of tamasic/inauspicious environments—foundational observances supporting Pāśupata-oriented worship, japa, and steady pūjā without upasarga (obstruction).