Shloka 52

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

Devanagari script

अहिंसा सत्यमस्तेयं ब्रह्मचर्यं क्षमा दया त्रिःस्नानं चाग्निहोत्रं च भूशय्या नक्तभोजनम्

Transliteration

ahiṃsā satyamasteyaṃ brahmacaryaṃ kṣamā dayā triḥsnānaṃ cāgnihotraṃ ca bhūśayyā naktabhojanam

Translation

Non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, the discipline of brahmacarya, forbearance, and compassion; thrice-daily bathing, the Agnihotra offering, sleeping upon the ground, and eating only at night—these are the observances praised for one established in Śaiva discipline, by which the paśu (bound soul) is purified for bhakti to the Lord, the Pati.

Word by Word

• अहिंसा: non-violence

• सत्यम्: truth

• अस्तेयम्: non-stealing

• ब्रह्मचर्यम्: chastity/celibate discipline

• क्षमा: forgiveness/forbearance

• दया: compassion

• त्रिःस्नानम्: bathing three times (daily)

• च: and

• अग्निहोत्रम्: Agnihotra fire-offering

• भूशय्या: sleeping on the ground

• नक्तभोजनम्: eating at night/once after sunset

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Characters & Entities

• Agni

FAQs

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

It lists purifying restraints and observances that prepare the worshipper’s body-mind for steady Śiva-bhakti, making Linga-pūjā effective by reducing pāśa (bondage) such as हिंसा, असत्य, and greed.

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

Śiva is implied as Pati—the liberating Lord—approached through ethical purity (ahiṃsā, satya) and disciplined conduct; the verse frames liberation as purification of the paśu so it can turn toward Śiva’s grace.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A combined regimen of yama-like vows (ahiṃsā, satya, asteya, brahmacarya) with Vedic observances (triḥsnāna, agnihotra) and austerities (bhūśayyā, naktabhojana), aligning with a Pāśupata-style vrata orientation.