Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 52

व्यपोहनस्तवनिरूपण-प्रसङ्गे नक्तभोजन-शिवव्रतविधिः (वार्षिक-प्रतिमास-क्रमः)

Devanagari script

अहिंसा सत्यमस्तेयं ब्रह्मचर्यं क्षमा दया त्रिःस्नानं चाग्निहोत्रं च भूशय्या नक्तभोजनम्

Transliteration

ahiṃsā satyamasteyaṃ brahmacaryaṃ kṣamā dayā triḥsnānaṃ cāgnihotraṃ ca bhūśayyā naktabhojanam

Translation

अहिंसा, सत्य, अस्तेय, ब्रह्मचर्य, क्षमा और दया; दिन में तीन बार स्नान, अग्निहोत्र, भूमि पर शयन और रात्रि में ही भोजन—ये शिव-शासन में प्रशंसित व्रत-नियम हैं, जिनसे पशु-जीव शुद्ध होकर पति-शिव की भक्ति में स्थिर होता है।

Word by Word

• अहिंसा: non-violence

• सत्यम्: truth

• अस्तेयम्: non-stealing

• ब्रह्मचर्यम्: chastity/celibate discipline

• क्षमा: forgiveness/forbearance

• दया: compassion

• त्रिःस्नानम्: bathing three times (daily)

• च: and

• अग्निहोत्रम्: Agnihotra fire-offering

• भूशय्या: sleeping on the ground

• नक्तभोजनम्: eating at night/once after sunset

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Characters & Entities

• Agni

FAQs

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

It lists purifying restraints and observances that prepare the worshipper’s body-mind for steady Śiva-bhakti, making Linga-pūjā effective by reducing pāśa (bondage) such as हिंसा, असत्य, and greed.

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

Śiva is implied as Pati—the liberating Lord—approached through ethical purity (ahiṃsā, satya) and disciplined conduct; the verse frames liberation as purification of the paśu so it can turn toward Śiva’s grace.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A combined regimen of yama-like vows (ahiṃsā, satya, asteya, brahmacarya) with Vedic observances (triḥsnāna, agnihotra) and austerities (bhūśayyā, naktabhojana), aligning with a Pāśupata-style vrata orientation.