Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 18

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

Devanagari script

इत्येव ते मया प्रोक्ता योगिनां सिद्धिवर्द्धनाः आहारास्तेषु सिद्धेषु श्रेष्ठं भैक्ष्यमिति स्मृतम्

Transliteration

ityeva te mayā proktā yogināṃ siddhivarddhanāḥ āhārāsteṣu siddheṣu śreṣṭhaṃ bhaikṣyamiti smṛtam

Translation

Ganyan ko itinuro sa inyo ang mga pagkaing nagpapalago ng mga pagtatamo (siddhi) ng mga yogin. Sa mga pagkaing pinahihintulutan, naaalala na ang pagkaing-limos (bhikṣā)—tinatanggap nang may pagpapakumbaba at pagpipigil—ang pinakamainam.

Word by Word

• iti-evā: thus indeed

• te: to you

• mayā: by me

• proktāḥ: declared/taught

• yoginām: of yogins

• siddhi-varddhanāḥ: that increase siddhi/attainment

• āhārāḥ: foods/diet

• teṣu: among them

• siddheṣu: among the established/approved (foods)

• śreṣṭham: the श्रेष्ठ, best

• bhaikṣyam: alms-food, food obtained by begging

• iti: thus

• smṛtam: remembered/authoritatively taught in tradition

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating a received teaching on yogic conduct)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames the ideal Shaiva sādhaka as disciplined and non-possessive: living on bhikṣā reduces attachment (pāśa) and supports single-pointed devotion to Pati (Shiva), which is foundational for Linga-centric worship and inner purification.

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

By praising bhikṣā for yogic success, the verse points to Shiva as Pati—the liberating Lord—approached through humility, restraint, and detachment, whereby the pashu (individual soul) loosens bondage and becomes fit for Shiva’s grace.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Aparigraha and ascetic discipline: accepting alms-food as a regulated āhāra for yogins—aligned with Pāśupata-style renunciation and steadiness in sādhana.