Shloka 18

आचार्य-धर्मलक्षण-श्रद्धाभक्तिप्राधान्यं तथा लिङ्गे ध्यान-पूजाविधानसंकेतः

Adhyaya 10

Devanagari script

यथादृष्टप्रवादस्तु सत्यं लैङ्गे ऽत्र पठ्यते ब्रह्मचर्यं तथा मौनं निराहारत्वमेव च

Transliteration

yathādṛṣṭapravādastu satyaṃ laiṅge 'tra paṭhyate brahmacaryaṃ tathā maunaṃ nirāhāratvameva ca

Translation

In accordance with the tradition as it has been seen and handed down, this is declared as true in this Liṅga Purāṇa: the observance of brahmacarya, the vow of silence, and indeed fasting—restraint from food—as well.

Word by Word

• यथा-दृष्ट (yathā-dṛṣṭa): as seen/according to what is observed

• प्रवादः (pravādaḥ): tradition, received saying

• तु (tu): indeed, moreover

• सत्यम् (satyam): truth, true doctrine

• लैङ्गे (laiṅge): in the Liṅga (Purāṇa), pertaining to the Liṅga tradition

• अत्र (atra): here

• पठ्यते (paṭhyate): is recited/taught

• ब्रह्मचर्यम् (brahmacaryam): celibate discipline, brahmacarya-vrata

• तथा (tathā): likewise

• मौनम् (maunam): silence, vow of silence

• निराहारत्वम् (nirāhāratvam): fasting/abstinence from food

• एव (eva): indeed, precisely

• च (ca): and

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana’s observances to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Liṅga-upāsanā as grounded in inner tapas—brahmacarya, mauna, and fasting—purifying the pashu (individual soul) so worship becomes fit to receive Shiva’s grace (Pati’s anugraha).

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

Shiva-tattva is approached not merely by external rite but by satya and self-restraint; the verse implies Shiva is pleased by disciplined inner transformation that loosens pāśa (bondage) and turns the pashu toward Pati.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Pāśupata-oriented observance: brahmacarya (sense-restraint), mauna (speech-restraint), and nirāhāra (fasting) as preparatory yogic vows supporting mantra-japa and Liṅga-pūjā.