Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 118

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

Devanagari script

पञ्चदश्यां च धर्मिष्ठां षोडश्यां ज्ञानपारगम् स्त्रीणां वै मैथुने काले वामपार्श्वे प्रभञ्जनः

Transliteration

pañcadaśyāṃ ca dharmiṣṭhāṃ ṣoḍaśyāṃ jñānapāragam strīṇāṃ vai maithune kāle vāmapārśve prabhañjanaḥ

Translation

Sa ika-15 na tithi, sinasabing siya’y pinakatatag sa dharma; sa ika-16, inilalarawan siyang nakatawid na sa kabilang pampang ng kaalaman. At para sa mga babae, sa oras ng pagsasama, ang hiningang-buhay na tinatawag na Prabhañjana ay kumikilos sa kaliwang panig—isang mapalad na maselang tanda na nauunawaan sa disiplina na umaakay sa paśu (kaluluwang nakagapos) tungo sa biyaya ni Pati (Śiva).

Word by Word

• पञ्चदश्याम्: on the fifteenth lunar day (tithi)

• च: and

• धर्मिष्ठाम्: most righteous/firm in dharma

• षोडश्याम्: on the sixteenth lunar day

• ज्ञानपारगम्: having gone beyond/attained mastery of knowledge

• स्त्रीणाम्: of women

• वै: indeed

• मैथुने: in sexual union

• काले: at the time

• वामपार्श्वे: on the left side

• प्रभञ्जनः: Prabhañjana, a forceful vital wind (vāyu)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It links embodied discipline and auspicious timing (tithi and subtle prāṇa-movements) with dharma and jñāna—foundational supports for approaching the Linga as Pati (Śiva) through purity, restraint, and right observance.

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

By implying that even bodily energies and timing can be oriented toward dharma and knowledge, it reflects Śiva-tattva as the inner governor (Pati) who can transform pasha-bound embodiment into a means of liberation when aligned with right order.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Attention to tithi-based conduct and observation of subtle vāyu (Prabhañjana) indicates a yogic-ritual awareness of prāṇa within household life—an applied discipline consistent with Pāśupata-oriented regulation of body and mind.