Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 78

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

Devanagari script

ततः कार्यविरोधाद्धि नृपाणां नान्यथा भवेत् वैखानसानां विप्राणां पतितानामसंभवात्

Transliteration

tataḥ kāryavirodhāddhi nṛpāṇāṃ nānyathā bhavet vaikhānasānāṃ viprāṇāṃ patitānāmasaṃbhavāt

Translation

Kaya nga, sapagkat sasalungat ito sa wastong pagtupad ng tungkulin, para sa mga hari ay hindi maaaring maging iba. At sa hanay ng mga pantas na brahmin na Vaikhānasa, ang paglitaw ng patita—yaong nalihis mula sa dharma—ay hindi tinatanggap na maaaring mangyari.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: therefore

• kārya-virodhāt: due to contradiction with what must be done (duty/required rite)

• hi: indeed

• nṛpāṇām: of kings

• na anyathā: not otherwise

• bhavet: should be/comes to be

• vaikhānasānām: of the Vaikhānasas (Vedic forest-rite lineage)

• viprāṇām: of brahmins

• patitānām: of the fallen, those who have deviated from dharma

• asaṁbhavāt: because of impossibility/non-occurrence

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Vaikhānasa Brahmins
• Kings (Nṛpas)

FAQs

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

It asserts strict ritual and ethical eligibility: kings must not act in ways that obstruct dharma, and Vaikhānasa priests are presented as inherently disciplined—supporting the principle that Linga-pūjā requires qualified conduct, not mere performance.

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

Indirectly, it aligns Shiva-tattva with order (dharma) rather than arbitrariness: the Pati (Lord) is approached through rightful action and purity, while pasha-like fallenness (patitatva) is treated as incompatible with true Vedic guardianship.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritual eligibility and discipline are emphasized—especially the Vaikhānasa model of Vedic observance—implying that Shaiva rites (including Linga installation and worship) depend on purity, restraint, and non-contradiction of prescribed duty.