Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 105

Adhyaya 89: शौचाचारलक्षणम् — सदाचार, भैक्ष्यचर्या, प्रायश्चित्त, द्रव्यशुद्धि, आशौच-निर्णय

Devanagari script

दिवास्वप्नं विशेषेण तथा वै दन्तधावनम् मैथुनं मानसं वापि वाचिकं देवतार्चनम्

Transliteration

divāsvapnaṃ viśeṣeṇa tathā vai dantadhāvanam maithunaṃ mānasaṃ vāpi vācikaṃ devatārcanam

Translation

In particular, daytime sleep, and likewise the brushing/cleaning of the teeth; and indulgence in sexual union, whether in mind or in speech—these are to be avoided in the worship of the Deity. Such restraints preserve purity and one-pointedness for Śiva-arcana, leading the paśu away from pāśa toward the grace of Pati (Śiva).

Word by Word

• दिवास्वप्नम्: sleeping in the daytime

• विशेषेण: especially/particularly

• तथा वै: and indeed/likewise

• दन्तधावनम्: cleaning/brushing the teeth

• मैथुनम्: sexual union/erotic indulgence

• मानसम्: mental (in thought)

• वा अपि: or even

• वाचिकम्: verbal (in speech)

• देवतार्चनम्: deity-worship/ritual adoration (arcana).

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It sets behavioral restraints—especially avoiding daytime sleep and sexual indulgence in thought or speech—so the worshipper maintains śauca (purity) and ekāgratā (one-pointed focus) for Śiva-liṅga arcana.

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

By implication, Śiva is approached as Pati, the liberating Lord, through inner and outer purity; the verse stresses that bondage (pāśa) persists when the mind and speech remain entangled in sense-impulses.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A discipline of niyama for pūjā—restraint of body, speech, and mind (especially regarding maithuna)—aligned with Pāśupata-style control of vṛttis to keep the arcana inwardly pure.