Shloka 70

Adhyaya 84: शिवव्रतकथनम्

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

Devanagari script

सा भवान्यास्तनुं गत्वा भवेन सह मोदते एकभक्तव्रतं पुण्यं प्रतिमासमनुक्रमात्

Transliteration

sā bhavānyāstanuṃ gatvā bhavena saha modate ekabhaktavrataṃ puṇyaṃ pratimāsamanukramāt

Translation

Having assumed the form of Bhavānī, she rejoices together with Bhava (Śiva). Thus, month after month in due sequence, the sacred Ekabhakta observance bears merit—strengthening devotion to Pati (Śiva) and loosening the pāśa (bondage) of the paśu (the bound soul).

Word by Word

• सा (sā): she

• भवान्याः (bhavānyāḥ): of Bhavānī (Pārvatī)

• तनुं (tanuṃ): body, form

• गत्वा (gatvā): having gone/assumed

• भवेन (bhavena): with Bhava (Śiva)

• सह (saha): together with

• मोदते (modate): delights, rejoices

• एकभक्तव्रतं (ekabhakta-vrataṃ): the Ekabhakta vow (single daily meal/one-pointed observance)

• पुण्यं (puṇyaṃ): meritorious, holy

• प्रतिमासम् (pratimāsam): every month

• अनुक्रमात् (anukramāt): in order, successively, according to sequence.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the vrata-mahātmya within the Linga Purana discourse to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati

FAQs

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

It links a disciplined monthly Ekabhakta-vrata with pleasing Śiva together with Śakti (Bhavānī), implying that vrata-backed devotion is a key support for fruitful Liṅga-upāsanā.

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

Śiva is presented as Bhava, inseparable from Bhavānī—Shiva-tattva is experienced through the Shiva–Shakti unity that grants joy and merit to the devotee’s ordered practice.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ekabhakta-vrata—an ascetic discipline of regulated intake and one-pointed devotion—performed month by month, aligning with Shaiva niyamas that purify the pashu and weaken pāśa.