Shloka 18

Sadācāra–Varṇa-lakṣaṇa and Prātaḥkṛtya

Right Conduct, Social Typologies, and Morning Purification

Devanagari script

धौतवस्त्रं समादाय पंचकच्छेन धारयेत् । उत्तरीयं च किं चैव धार्यं सर्वेषु कर्मसु

Transliteration

dhautavastraṃ samādāya paṃcakacchena dhārayet | uttarīyaṃ ca kiṃ caiva dhāryaṃ sarveṣu karmasu

Translation

取洁净洗涤之衣，当以五褶束裹之法（pañcakaccha）而着；并当披上上衣（uttarīya）。如此端正之仪容，应于一切神圣行持与祭仪中恒常保持。

Word by Word

• धौत-वस्त्रम्: a washed cloth/garment
• धौत-वस्त्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धौत (कृदन्त; √धाव्/धौ (धातु) + क्त) + वस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; समासः कर्मधारयः (धौतं वस्त्रम् = washed cloth)

• सम्-आदाय: having taken
• सम्-आदाय: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-√दा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), ‘having taken’

• पञ्च-कच्छेन: with the five-tuck style (of wearing)
• पञ्च-कच्छेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पञ्च (प्रातिपदिक) + कच्छ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (पञ्च कच्छाः यस्य/येन)

• धारयेत्: should wear/hold
• धारयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √धृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• उत्तरीयम्: upper garment
• उत्तरीयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उत्तरीय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• किम्: what/which (thing)
• किम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; प्रश्नार्थक सर्वनाम

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चय/अवधारण-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• धार्यम्: to be worn/should be worn
• धार्यम्: Vidheyaviśeṣaṇa (विधेयविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √धृ (धातु) + यत् (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (gerundive/obligatory), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘to be worn’

• सर्वेषु: in all
• सर्वेषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), बहुवचन

• कर्मसु: rites/actions
• कर्मसु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), बहुवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Proper vesture (śuddha-vastra, pañcakaccha, uttarīya) stabilizes ritual order and supports sustained observance (sthiti) in Śiva-karmas.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It teaches that outer cleanliness and disciplined conduct support inner purity (śuddhi), making the devotee fit for Shiva’s worship; proper dress becomes an expression of reverence toward Pati (Lord Shiva) and steadiness of mind.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

Linga worship in the Shiva Purana emphasizes ācāra (right ritual conduct). Wearing clean garments and an uttarīya is part of honoring Saguna Shiva in the form of the Linga, where devotion is expressed through respectful, orderly worship.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests preparing for puja by wearing washed clothes in pañcakaccha style with an upper cloth, reinforcing readiness for mantra-japa (such as the Panchakshara) and other Shiva rites with a composed, disciplined posture and mindset.