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

Для йогина — и воистину среди всех йогинов — обет Чандраяны (Cāndrāyaṇa) провозглашается наивысшим. По мере сил следует совершить его один, два, три или даже четыре раза — ради внутреннего очищения, укрепляющего бхакти к Пати (Шиве) и ослабляющего паша, связывающее пашу (индивидуальную душу).

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.