Shloka 10

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

Devanagari script

उपवासात् परं भैक्ष्यं भैक्ष्यात् परम् अयाचितम् अयाचितात् परं नक्तं तस्मान् नक्तेन वर्तयेत्

Transliteration

upavāsāt paraṃ bhaikṣyaṃ bhaikṣyāt param ayācitam ayācitāt paraṃ naktaṃ tasmān naktena vartayet

Translation

ಉಪವಾಸಕ್ಕಿಂತ ಭೈಕ್ಷ್ಯಜೀವನ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ; ಭೈಕ್ಷ್ಯಕ್ಕಿಂತ ಯಾಚಿಸದೆ ಬಂದದ್ದನ್ನು ಸ್ವೀಕರಿಸುವುದು ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ; ಅದಕ್ಕಿಂತ ನಕ್ತ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ. ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ನಕ್ತವ್ರತದಿಂದಲೇ ಜೀವನ ನಡೆಸಬೇಕು.

Word by Word

• upavāsāt: than fasting/abstinence

• param: higher/superior

• bhaikṣyam: living on alms (mendicant food)

• bhaikṣyāt: than alms-living

• ayācitam: unsolicited (not begged for)

• ayācitāt: than unsolicited food

• naktaṃ: the 'nakta' vow (eating once at night)

• tasmāt: therefore

• naktena: by the nakta observance

• vartayet: should live/sustain oneself

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Śaiva vrata and niyama teachings within the Linga Purana discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that purity of sustenance is part of Linga-pūjā: refining one’s intake from ordinary eating toward disciplined, non-possessive living (ayācita, then nakta) supports steadiness in worship and reduces pasha (bondage) born of craving.

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

By implying that the highest discipline is self-restraint offered to Pati, it points to Śiva as the Lord who liberates the paśu (individual soul) from pasha through inner detachment, not merely external austerity.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights āhāra-niyama through the nakta-vrata (eating once at night), progressing via bhaikṣya and ayācita—practices aligned with Pāśupata-style renunciation and sense-control supporting japa and pūjā.