Shloka 23

Adhyaya 8: Yogasthanas, Ashtanga Yoga, Pranayama-Siddhi, and Shiva-Dhyana leading to Samadhi

Devanagari script

अङ्गारसदृशी नारी घृतकुम्भसमः पुमान् तस्मान्नारीषु संसर्गं दूरतः परिवर्जयेत्

Transliteration

aṅgārasadṛśī nārī ghṛtakumbhasamaḥ pumān tasmānnārīṣu saṃsargaṃ dūrataḥ parivarjayet

Translation

女人如同炽热的火炭，男人如同盛满酥油的罐；因此应当从远处就避开与女人纠缠的交往，使被缚之灵（paśu）不为欲火所灼，亦不再被系缚之索（pāśa）加重束缚。

Word by Word

• अङ्गार-सदृशी: like a burning coal/ember

• नारी: woman

• घृत-कुम्भ-समः: like a ghee-filled pot

• पुमान्: man

• तस्मात्: therefore

• नारीषु: among/with women

• संसर्गम्: close association, intimate contact

• दूरतः: from a distance, far away

• परिवर्जयेत्: should completely avoid

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating an ascetic instruction within the Linga Purana’s teaching stream)

FAQs

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

It frames self-restraint (especially control of kāma) as a prerequisite for effective Linga-upāsanā, because uncontrolled passion strengthens pāśa (bondage) and obstructs steady devotion to Pati (Śiva).

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

Indirectly: Śiva-tattva is approached through inner purity and dispassion—when the paśu reduces the heat of desire, awareness can turn toward Pati, the liberating Lord beyond the guṇas.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Brahmacarya and indriya-nigraha (sense-control) as core supports for Pāśupata-oriented sādhana—protecting the practitioner from agitation that breaks japa, dhyāna, and disciplined Linga-pūjā.