Shloka 17

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

Devanagari script

भैक्ष्यं यवागूस्तक्रं वा पयो यावकमेव च फलमूलादि पक्वं वा कणपिण्याकसक्तवः

Transliteration

bhaikṣyaṃ yavāgūstakraṃ vā payo yāvakameva ca phalamūlādi pakvaṃ vā kaṇapiṇyākasaktavaḥ

Translation

ഭിക്ഷയിൽ ലഭിച്ച ആഹാരം, യവാഗൂ, തക്രം (മോര്), പാൽ, യാവകം (യവതയാറാക്കിയത്); കൂടാതെ വേവിച്ച ഫല-മൂലങ്ങൾ, കണ, പിണ്യാകം (എണ്ണക്കട്ടി), സക്തു (സത്തു)—ഇവ അനുമതമായ ആഹാരങ്ങളാണ്.

Word by Word

• भैक्ष्यम्: food obtained by begging/alms

• यवागूः: thin rice gruel

• तक्रम्: buttermilk

• वा: or

• पयः: milk

• यावकम्: barley preparation (yāvaka)

• एव: indeed/only

• च: and

• फलमूलादि: fruits, roots, and the like

• पक्वम्: cooked/boiled

• वा: or

• कण: grains/coarse grain (often barley/rice fragments)

• पिण्याक: oil-cake/residue after pressing oilseeds

• सक्तवः: saktu, roasted grain flour (often barley)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Śaiva-vrata rules to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It defines purified, restraint-based food options for a Śaiva vow, supporting bodily and mental śuddhi so the worshipper approaches the Liṅga with disciplined senses and a sattvic mind.

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

By prescribing simplicity and non-indulgence, it implies Śiva as Pati is realized through inner purification—reducing pasha (bondage) born of craving in the pashu (individual soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Āhāra-niyama (dietary restraint) as part of Śaiva-vrata/Pāśupata-style discipline—using simple foods (alms, milk products, barley, fruits, roots) to steady the mind for mantra and Liṅga-pūjā.