Shloka 53

Devanagari script

पक्षयोरुपवासं च चतुर्दश्यष्टमीषु च

Transliteration

pakṣayorupavāsaṃ ca caturdaśyaṣṭamīṣu ca

Translation

One should also observe fasting (upavāsa) in both fortnights of the lunar month, especially on the fourteenth day (caturdaśī) and the eighth (aṣṭamī)—disciplines that purify the paśu and steady it toward Pati, Lord Śiva.

Word by Word

• पक्षयोः (pakṣayoḥ): in the two fortnights (bright and dark halves of the lunar month)

• उपवासम् (upavāsam): fasting, religious abstinence

• च (ca): and

• चतुर्दशी (caturdaśī): the fourteenth lunar day (often sacred to Śiva)

• अष्टमीषु (aṣṭamīṣu): on the eighth lunar days

• च (ca): also/and

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-dharma and vrata-vidhi to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It prescribes upavāsa (fasting) on sacred tithis—especially caturdaśī and aṣṭamī—as a core preparatory discipline that supports purity, restraint, and focused devotion before Linga-pūjā.

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

By directing the practitioner toward regular austerity, it implies Śiva as Pati—the transcendent Lord approached through inner purification, where the paśu becomes fit to receive grace (anugraha) by loosening pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Upavāsa as vrata/niyama: a Shaiva observance aligned with Pāśupata discipline, using lunar tithis (aṣṭamī, caturdaśī) to stabilize mind and senses for worship and japa.