Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17

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

Devanagari script

भैक्ष्यं यवागूस्तक्रं वा पयो यावकमेव च फलमूलादि पक्वं वा कणपिण्याकसक्तवः

Transliteration

bhaikṣyaṃ yavāgūstakraṃ vā payo yāvakameva ca phalamūlādi pakvaṃ vā kaṇapiṇyākasaktavaḥ

Translation

Para sa nagmamasid ng disiplina ng Śaiva, pinahihintulutang pagkain ang: pagkaing mula sa limos, yavāgū (lugaw), takra (buttermilk), gatas, at yāvaka (handa mula sa sebada). Kasama rin ang nilutong prutas at mga ugat, at mga butil gaya ng kaṇa, piṇyāka (oil-cake), at saktu (inihaw na harinang sebada).

Word by Word

• भैक्ष्यम्: food obtained by begging/alms

• यवागूः: thin rice gruel

• तक्रम्: buttermilk

• वा: or

• पयः: milk

• यावकम्: barley preparation (yāvaka)

• एव: indeed/only

• च: and

• फलमूलादि: fruits, roots, and the like

• पक्वम्: cooked/boiled

• वा: or

• कण: grains/coarse grain (often barley/rice fragments)

• पिण्याक: oil-cake/residue after pressing oilseeds

• सक्तवः: saktu, roasted grain flour (often barley)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Śaiva-vrata rules to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It defines purified, restraint-based food options for a Śaiva vow, supporting bodily and mental śuddhi so the worshipper approaches the Liṅga with disciplined senses and a sattvic mind.

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

By prescribing simplicity and non-indulgence, it implies Śiva as Pati is realized through inner purification—reducing pasha (bondage) born of craving in the pashu (individual soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Āhāra-niyama (dietary restraint) as part of Śaiva-vrata/Pāśupata-style discipline—using simple foods (alms, milk products, barley, fruits, roots) to steady the mind for mantra and Liṅga-pūjā.