Shloka 23

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

Devanagari script

बेहविओउर् ओफ़् अ योगिन् योगिनां चैव सर्वेषां श्रेष्ठं चान्द्रायणं भवेत् एकं द्वे त्रीणि चत्वारि शक्तितो वा समाचरेत्

Transliteration

behaviour of a yogin yogināṃ caiva sarveṣāṃ śreṣṭhaṃ cāndrāyaṇaṃ bhavet ekaṃ dve trīṇi catvāri śaktito vā samācaret

Translation

Para un yogui—y, en verdad, entre todos los yoguis—la observancia del Cāndrāyaṇa se declara la más excelsa. Según la propia capacidad, debe emprenderse una, dos, tres o incluso cuatro veces, como purificación interior que sostiene la bhakti firme hacia Pati (Śiva) y afloja el pāśa que ata al paśu (el alma individual).

Word by Word

• yoginaḥ: for a yogin

• yoginām: among yogins

• ca eva: and indeed

• sarveṣām: of all

• śreṣṭham: the श्रेष्ठ/foremost

• cāndrāyaṇam: the Cāndrāyaṇa lunar penance/observance

• bhavet: is/should be

• ekam: once

• dve: twice

• trīṇi: thrice

• catvāri: four times

• śaktitaḥ: according to capacity/strength

• vā: or

• samācaret: should practice/perform properly

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana’s teaching to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It elevates the Cāndrāyaṇa vrata as a premier purifier for practitioners, making the worshipper fit for steady Śiva-bhakti and disciplined Linga-upāsanā by reducing impurity and strengthening restraint.

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

By implying Śiva as Pati—the supreme Lord—whose realization is supported by purification; the soul (pashu) approaches Śiva-tattva as bonds (pāśa) are weakened through such observances.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The Cāndrāyaṇa observance (a lunar-cycle penance/discipline) is highlighted, to be undertaken according to one’s strength, even repeatedly (up to four times) for deeper purification.