Shloka 3

यतिप्रायश्चित्तविधानम्

Ascetic Atonements and Discipline

Devanagari script

तत्कर्मणा विनाप्येष तिष्ठतीति परा श्रुतिः क्षणमेवं प्रयोज्यं तु आयुष्यं तु विधारणम्

Transliteration

tatkarmaṇā vināpyeṣa tiṣṭhatīti parā śrutiḥ kṣaṇamevaṃ prayojyaṃ tu āyuṣyaṃ tu vidhāraṇam

Translation

即便没有那一特定之行，此（生命之力）仍然安住——至上《闻传》（Śruti）如是宣说。故当如此运用哪怕一刹那：为护持并稳固自身寿命。

Word by Word

• tat-karmāṇā: by that action/that rite

• vinā api: even without

• eṣaḥ: this (prāṇa/life-principle)

• tiṣṭhati iti: remains/stands thus

• parā śrutiḥ: the highest Vedic revelation

• kṣaṇam: a moment

• evaṁ: in this manner

• prayojyam: should be applied/used

• tu: indeed

• āyuṣyam: lifespan/vital longevity

• tu: indeed

• vidhāraṇam: sustaining/maintaining/holding firmly

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana; verse framed as an appeal to Śruti authority)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It shifts emphasis from mere external performance to disciplined use of time and prāṇa-dhāraṇa, implying that devotion to Shiva (Pati) should be continuous and inward—each moment offered and regulated for spiritual steadiness.

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

By invoking “parā śruti,” it implies a reality that can sustain the pashu’s life-principle beyond dependence on a single karma—pointing to Shiva as Pati, the higher ground of order and support that transcends karmic mechanics.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Āyuṣya-vidhāraṇa through moment-to-moment discipline—read as prāṇa-dhāraṇa (holding the life-breath) aligned with Shaiva observance, where even a kṣaṇa is to be used for inner stabilization and remembrance of Shiva.