Shloka 13

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

Devanagari script

अग्निकार्यमधःशय्यां नक्तभोजी समाचरेत् प्रतिमासं प्रवक्ष्यामि शिवव्रतमनुत्तमम्

Transliteration

agnikāryamadhaḥśayyāṃ naktabhojī samācaret pratimāsaṃ pravakṣyāmi śivavratamanuttamam

Translation

அவன் அக்னிகாரியம் (ஹோமம் முதலியவை) செய்ய வேண்டும்; தாழ்ந்த படுக்கையில் உறங்க வேண்டும்; எப்போதும் இரவில் மட்டும் உண்க வேண்டும். இப்போது மாதந்தோறும் சிவனின் ஒப்பற்ற விரதத்தை நான் விளக்குகிறேன்।

Word by Word

• agni-kāryam: fire-rite/duty connected with sacred fire

• adhaḥ-śayyām: a low bed/lying down on the ground

• nakta-bhojī: one who eats at night only

• samācaret: should practice/observe

• pratimāsam: every month/month by month

• pravakṣyāmi: I shall declare/explain

• śiva-vratam: Śiva’s vow/observance dedicated to Lord Śiva

• anuttamam: unsurpassed/supreme

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Agni

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-centered devotion as a disciplined Śiva-vrata: fire-rite, austerity (low bed), and regulated diet, preparing the devotee for effective Śiva-pūjā and the Lord’s grace.

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

Śiva is implied as the supreme Pati who responds to inner purity and restraint; the vow is “anuttama” because it aligns the paśu toward liberation from pāśa through Śiva’s favor.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A vrata-based sādhana combining Vedic agni-kārya with niyamas—sleeping low and naktabhojana—echoing Pāśupata-style purification through tapas and disciplined living.