Shloka 12

व्यपोहनस्तवनिरूपण-प्रसङ्गे नक्तभोजन-शिवव्रतविधिः (वार्षिक-प्रतिमास-क्रमः)

Devanagari script

सर्ववेलामतिक्रम्य नक्तभोजनमुत्तमम् हविष्यभोजनं स्नानं सत्यमाहारलाघवम्

Transliteration

sarvavelāmatikramya naktabhojanamuttamam haviṣyabhojanaṃ snānaṃ satyamāhāralāghavam

Translation

Having passed beyond all ordinary meal-times, the best discipline is to eat only at night; to subsist on haviṣya (pure oblation-food), to bathe, to abide in truthfulness, and to keep one’s diet light—these are praised as superior observances for Śiva-worship, weakening the pāśa (bondage) of the paśu (soul) and turning the mind toward Pati (Lord Śiva).

Word by Word

• सर्ववेलाम् (sarva-velām): all times/meal-times

• अतिक्रम्य (atikramya): having gone beyond/observed restraint beyond

• नक्तभोजनम् (nakta-bhojanam): night-only eating

• उत्तमम् (uttamam): best/supreme

• हविष्यभोजनम् (haviṣya-bhojanam): eating haviṣya, pure ritual food

• स्नानम् (snānam): bathing/purificatory bath

• सत्यम् (satyam): truthfulness

• आहारलाघवम् (āhāra-lāghavam): lightness/moderation in food

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating vrata/puja discipline; inferred typical Linga Purana frame)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It lists key preparatory disciplines—night-only eating, pure ritual food, bathing, truthfulness, and moderation—meant to purify the worshipper so Linga-puja becomes inwardly effective, not merely external.

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

By implying Shiva as Pati, the Lord who is approached through purification and self-restraint; these niyamas refine the paśu so the mind can align with Shiva-tattva beyond ordinary habits and impulses.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Vrata-niyamas aligned with Pashupata discipline: regulated diet (nakta-bhojana, āhāra-lāghava), purity (snāna), and ethical truth (satya), supporting steadiness for puja and meditation.