Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 56

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

Devanagari script

श्रीफलैरंशुपट्टानां कुतपानामरिष्टकैः चर्मणां विदलानां च वेत्राणां वस्त्रवन्मतम्

Transliteration

śrīphalairaṃśupaṭṭānāṃ kutapānāmariṣṭakaiḥ carmaṇāṃ vidalānāṃ ca vetrāṇāṃ vastravanmatam

Translation

श्रीफल से बने अंशु-पट्ट, कुतप (ऊन के आवरण) और अरिष्टक; तथा चमड़ा, फटा हुआ चमड़े का पट्टा और बेंत की वस्तुएँ—इन सबको वस्त्र के समान माना गया है (अतः वस्त्र-दान के तुल्य ग्राह्य हैं)।

Word by Word

• śrīphalaiḥ: with coconuts (as accompanying auspicious items)

• aṃśu-paṭṭānām: of aṃśu-fibre cloths/garments

• kuṭapānām: of woollen blankets/coverings (kuṭapa)

• ariṣṭakaiḥ: with ariṣṭaka items (auspicious protective articles/offerings)

• carmaṇām: of leather/hides

• vidalānām: of split (leather) pieces/strips

• ca: and

• vetrāṇām: of cane/reed articles (vetra)

• vastra-vat: like cloth/garments

• matam: the accepted rule/teaching.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It clarifies what counts as “vastra” (cloth/garment) in dana connected to Shiva-dharma—broadening acceptable gift-items used to support puja and the worshipper’s purity.

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

Indirectly, it reflects Shiva-tattva as Pati (Lord) who receives offerings through dharma: the devotee (pashu) loosens pasha (bondage) by righteous giving and ritual propriety aligned with scripture.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Dana as an auxiliary discipline to Shiva-puja—offering cloth-equivalents and auspicious accompaniments as part of regulated worship that supports inner purification (a preparatory aid to Pashupata-oriented sadhana).