Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 15

Adhyaya 84: शिवव्रतकथनम्

Uma–Maheshvara Vrata, Shula-dana, and Month-wise Ekabhakta Vrata

Devanagari script

पौर्णमास्याममावास्यां वर्षमेकमतन्द्रिता उपवासरता नारी नरो ऽपि द्विजसत्तमाः

Transliteration

paurṇamāsyāmamāvāsyāṃ varṣamekamatandritā upavāsaratā nārī naro 'pi dvijasattamāḥ

Translation

On the full-moon day and on the new-moon day, for one full year without negligence, a woman—or likewise a man, O best of the twice-born—who remains vigilant and devoted to fasting (upavāsa) becomes fit for the grace that loosens the pāśa-bonds of the paśu (the soul), through steadfast observance directed to the Pati, Śiva.

Word by Word

• पौर्णमास्याम्: on the full-moon day

• अमावास्याम्: on the new-moon day

• वर्षम्: for a year

• एकम्: one (full)

• अतन्द्रिता: untiring, vigilant

• उपवास-रता: devoted to fasting/observance

• नारी: woman

• नरः अपि: and a man also

• द्विज-सत्तमाः: O best among the twice-born

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It prescribes a year-long discipline of fasting on Pūrṇimā and Amāvāsyā as a purificatory vrata that supports Śiva-pūjā and ripens the devotee for Śiva’s anugraha (grace).

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

Śiva is implied as Pati—the liberating Lord—whose grace is approached through steadiness (atandritā) and self-restraint, weakening pāśa (bondage) that constrains the paśu (individual soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Upavāsa as a vrata: periodic fasting on lunar junctions (full and new moon) for a year, a tapas-oriented practice aligned with Shaiva observance and preparatory to deeper Pāśupata discipline.