Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 22

उपलेपनादिकथनम्

Vastraputa-jala, Ahimsa, and Conduct in Shiva Worship

Devanagari script

न स्पृष्टव्या न द्रष्टव्या दृष्ट्वा भानुं समीक्षते तथापि तेन वध्याश् च नृपैरन्यैश् च जन्तुभिः

Transliteration

na spṛṣṭavyā na draṣṭavyā dṛṣṭvā bhānuṃ samīkṣate tathāpi tena vadhyāś ca nṛpairanyaiś ca jantubhiḥ

Translation

“She should neither be touched nor even looked upon; and even if one has looked, one should then gaze upon the Sun (to neutralize the impurity). Yet, because of that act, they become liable to punishment—by kings and even by other beings.”

Word by Word

• na: not

• spṛṣṭavyā: to be touched/fit to be touched

• na: not

• draṣṭavyā: to be seen/fit to be looked at

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen

• bhānum: the Sun (Sūrya)

• samīkṣate: one should look at/should contemplate

• tathāpi: even so/nevertheless

• tena: by that (act/cause)

• vadhyāḥ: punishable/liable to execution or chastisement

• ca: and

• nṛpaiḥ: by kings

• anyaiḥ: by others

• ca: and

• jantubhiḥ: by creatures/beings

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating normative injunctions within the Linga Purana’s Shaiva-dharma frame)

Characters & Entities

• Surya

FAQs

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

It emphasizes śauca (purity) and self-restraint as prerequisites for Shiva-puja; controlling sense-contact and correcting impurity through prescribed acts protects the devotee (pashu) from deeper bondage (pāśa) while approaching Pati (Shiva).

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

Indirectly, it presents Shiva-tattva as approached through discipline: the Lord is supremely pure, and the aspirant must reduce pāśa (defilement and misconduct) through restraint and expiation to become fit for Shaiva proximity and grace.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A prayāścitta-like corrective act is indicated—after an improper sight/contact, one “looks at the Sun” as a ritual purifier; it also reflects a yama/niyama ethos aligned with Pāśupata-style restraint.