Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 57

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

Devanagari script

वल्कलानां तु सर्वेषां छत्रचामरयोरपि चैलवच्छौचमाख्यातं ब्रह्मविद्भिर् मुनीश्वरैः

Transliteration

valkalānāṃ tu sarveṣāṃ chatracāmarayorapi cailavacchaucamākhyātaṃ brahmavidbhir munīśvaraiḥ

Translation

Para sa lahat ng kasuotang mula sa balat ng puno, at gayundin sa payong at pamaypay na buntot-yak, ipinahayag ng mga pantas na nakakabatid sa Brahman na ang kadalisayan nito ay gaya rin ng sa tela.

Word by Word

• वल्कलानाम्: of bark-garments

• तु: indeed

• सर्वेषाम्: of all

• छत्रचामरयोः: of umbrella and yak-tail fan (chāmara)

• अपि: also

• चैलवत्: like cloth

• शौचम्: purity/cleansing rule

• आख्यातम्: has been declared/taught

• ब्रह्मविद्भिः: by knowers of Brahman (brahmavid)

• मुनीश्वरैः: by great sages/lords among sages

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating śaiva-ācāra as received from the tradition of sages)

FAQs

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

It standardizes śauca for common worship implements—bark garments, umbrellas, and chāmaras—stating they should be purified like cloth, ensuring the dravya (materials) offered to Pati (Śiva) are ritually fit.

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

By emphasizing disciplined purity taught by brahmavid sages, it implies Śiva as Pati is approached through both outer śauca and inner purification—removing pāśa (bondage) from the paśu (soul) so awareness can align with Śiva-tattva.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritual śauca (cleansing protocol) for puja articles; in a Pāśupata frame, such external discipline supports inner niyama and steadiness for worship and yogic restraint.