Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 14

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

Devanagari script

भैक्ष्यं चरेद्वनस्थेषु यायावरगृहेषु च श्रेष्ठा तु प्रथमा हीयं वृत्तिरस्योपजायते

Transliteration

bhaikṣyaṃ caredvanastheṣu yāyāvaragṛheṣu ca śreṣṭhā tu prathamā hīyaṃ vṛttirasyopajāyate

Translation

Dapat siyang mabuhay sa limos, lumilibot sa mga tahanan ng mga naninirahan sa gubat at sa mga bahay ng mga naglalakbay na asceta; sapagkat ang unang paraan ng kabuhayang ito ang ipinahahayag na pinakadakila para sa kanya—sumisibol sa pagpipigil at di-pag-aangkin, lumuluwag sa tali ng pāśa na gumagapos sa paśu (indibidwal na kaluluwa) at inihaharap ito kay Pati, kay Śiva.

Word by Word

• भैक्ष्यम्: alms-based sustenance

• चरेत्: he should practice/undertake

• वनस्थेषु: among forest-dwellers (vānaprasthas)

• यायावरगृहेषु: in the houses of yāyāvaras (wandering ascetics)

• च: and

• श्रेष्ठा: most excellent

• तु: indeed

• प्रथमा: the first (primary)

• हि: surely

• इयम्: this

• वृत्तिः: livelihood/means of subsistence

• अस्य: for him/of this person

• उपजायते: arises/is prescribed as suitable.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating dharma teachings within the Linga Purana discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It elevates alms-based living (bhikṣā) as the श्रेष्ठ (best) livelihood for an ascetic, supporting inner purity and non-possessiveness—key prerequisites for steady Linga-pūjā and one-pointed devotion to Pati (Śiva).

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

By implying that turning away from acquisition and dependence on possessions helps the pashu loosen pāśa, the verse points to Śiva-tattva as the Pati—the liberating Lord toward whom disciplined renunciation naturally directs consciousness.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The discipline of bhikṣā-vṛtti (living on alms) associated with forest and wandering ascetic life, a practical support for Pāśupata-style vairāgya (dispassion) and self-restraint that stabilizes meditation and worship.