Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23

Adhyaya 8: Yogasthanas, Ashtanga Yoga, Pranayama-Siddhi, and Shiva-Dhyana leading to Samadhi

Devanagari script

अङ्गारसदृशी नारी घृतकुम्भसमः पुमान् तस्मान्नारीषु संसर्गं दूरतः परिवर्जयेत्

Transliteration

aṅgārasadṛśī nārī ghṛtakumbhasamaḥ pumān tasmānnārīṣu saṃsargaṃ dūrataḥ parivarjayet

Translation

Ang babae ay tulad ng baga, at ang lalaki ay tulad ng palayok na punô ng ghee; kaya dapat iwasan ang pagkakasangkot at pakikihalubilo sa mga babae kahit mula pa sa malayo, upang ang paśu (kaluluwang nakagapos) ay hindi masunog ng pita at lalo pang matali ng mga pāśa.

Word by Word

• अङ्गार-सदृशी: like a burning coal/ember

• नारी: woman

• घृत-कुम्भ-समः: like a ghee-filled pot

• पुमान्: man

• तस्मात्: therefore

• नारीषु: among/with women

• संसर्गम्: close association, intimate contact

• दूरतः: from a distance, far away

• परिवर्जयेत्: should completely avoid

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating an ascetic instruction within the Linga Purana’s teaching stream)

FAQs

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

It frames self-restraint (especially control of kāma) as a prerequisite for effective Linga-upāsanā, because uncontrolled passion strengthens pāśa (bondage) and obstructs steady devotion to Pati (Śiva).

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

Indirectly: Śiva-tattva is approached through inner purity and dispassion—when the paśu reduces the heat of desire, awareness can turn toward Pati, the liberating Lord beyond the guṇas.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Brahmacarya and indriya-nigraha (sense-control) as core supports for Pāśupata-oriented sādhana—protecting the practitioner from agitation that breaks japa, dhyāna, and disciplined Linga-pūjā.