Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 36

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

Devanagari script

धातुशून्यबिलक्षेत्रक्षुद्रमन्त्रोपजीवनम् विषग्रहविडम्बादीन् वर्जयेत् सर्वयत्नतः

Transliteration

dhātuśūnyabilakṣetrakṣudramantropajīvanam viṣagrahaviḍambādīn varjayet sarvayatnataḥ

Translation

With every effort, one should avoid spiritually barren livelihoods and practices—such as working in mines or pits devoid of proper ore, cultivating inferior fields, living by petty mantra-trade, and deceitful acts like poisoning, seizing others’ property, and other forms of fraud.

Word by Word

• धातु-शून्य: devoid of ore/mineral

• बिल: pit, mine, cavern

• क्षेत्र: field, land for cultivation

• क्षुद्र: petty, base, inferior

• मन्त्र-उपजीवनम्: livelihood by means of mantras (selling/using mantras for gain)

• विष: poison

• ग्रह: seizure, taking, grasping (also ‘graha’ as affliction—here ‘seizing’ fits the list)

• विडम्ब: deception, fraud, imposture

• आदीन्: and others of that kind

• वर्जयेत्: one should avoid

• सर्व-यत्नतः: with all effort, completely

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Śaiva conduct and puja-dharma to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It states that Śiva-arcana must be supported by śuddha-ājīvikā (pure livelihood). Fraud, harm, and “mantra-for-profit” practices pollute the worshipper’s intention and weaken the efficacy of Linga-puja.

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

By implication, Śiva as Pati is approached through purity and truth. When the paśu chooses deceitful gain, paśa strengthens; when the paśu chooses dharmic restraint, the path toward Śiva’s grace and liberation clears.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Puja-śuddhi through ethical discipline: renouncing harmful trades, deception, and exploitative mantra-usage—an essential preparatory niyama aligned with Pāśupata-oriented self-purification.