Shloka 144

उमामहेश्वरव्रतं—पञ्चाक्षरमन्त्रस्य माहात्म्यं, न्यासः, जपविधिः, सदाचारः, विनियोगः

Devanagari script

भिन्नभाण्डे च रथ्यायां पतितानां च संनिधौ शूद्रशेषं न भुञ्जीयात् सहान्नं शिशुकैरपि

Transliteration

bhinnabhāṇḍe ca rathyāyāṃ patitānāṃ ca saṃnidhau śūdraśeṣaṃ na bhuñjīyāt sahānnaṃ śiśukairapi

Translation

One should not eat food (even if otherwise available) when it is placed in a broken vessel, in a public street, or in the proximity of those who have fallen from dharma. Likewise, one should not partake of the remnants of a Śūdra—nor eat together with such food, even in the company of children.

Word by Word

• भिन्न-भाण्डे: in a broken vessel

• च: and

• रथ्यायाम्: in the street/public road

• पतितानाम्: of the fallen/outcast from dharma

• च: and

• संनिधौ: in the vicinity/presence

• शूद्र-शेषम्: the leftovers/remnants associated with a Śūdra

• न: not

• भुञ्जीयात्: should eat/partake

• सह-अन्नम्: food eaten together/food in association

• शिशुकैः: with children

• अपि: even

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating dharma-śāstra style instructions within the Linga Purana discourse)

FAQs

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

It establishes śauca (ritual and ethical purity) as a prerequisite for effective Linga-pūjā—clean context, clean vessel, and clean association safeguard the devotee’s āhāra from tamas and preserve the sattvic readiness needed to approach Pati (Śiva).

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

Indirectly, it implies that while Śiva as Pati is transcendently pure and untouched, the pashu (bound soul) must refine conduct and associations to loosen pāśa (impurity/bondage) and become fit for His grace.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Āhāra-śuddhi and saṅga-śuddhi (purity of diet and company), foundational disciplines that support Pāśupata-style restraint, steadiness in mantra-japa, and readiness for Shiva-pūjā.