Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 27

व्यपोहनस्तवनिरूपण-प्रसङ्गे नक्तभोजन-शिवव्रतविधिः (वार्षिक-प्रतिमास-क्रमः)

Devanagari script

चैत्रे ऽपि रुद्रमभ्यर्च्य कुर्याद्वै नक्तभोजनम् शाल्यन्नं पयसा युक्तं घृतेन च यथासुखम्

Transliteration

caitre 'pi rudramabhyarcya kuryādvai naktabhojanam śālyannaṃ payasā yuktaṃ ghṛtena ca yathāsukham

Translation

在恰伊特罗月亦然：如法礼敬鲁陀罗（湿婆）之后，应守持夜食之戒。可食以娑利稻所煮之饭，和以牛乳，并随宜加酥油（ghee）。

Word by Word

• चैत्रे: in (the month of) Caitra

• अपि: also

• रुद्रम्: Rudra (Śiva as Pati)

• अभ्यर्च्य: having worshipped (with reverence)

• कुर्यात्: should do/observe

• वै: indeed

• नक्त-भोजनम्: night-eating (taking food only at night)

• शाल्यन्नम्: rice-food made of śāli rice

• पयसा: with milk

• युक्तम्: joined/mixed

• घृतेन: with ghee

• च: and

• यथा-सुखम्: as one’s comfort/liking permits

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating vrata-vidhi to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Rudra

FAQs

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

It prescribes a concrete niyama (naktabhojana) alongside Rudra-archana, showing that Linga/Rudra worship is perfected by disciplined conduct, not merely by offerings.

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

By naming Him Rudra and making Him the object of regular monthly observance, the verse implies Śiva as Pati—the Lord who accepts devotion and purifies the paśu (bound soul) through vrata and worship.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A vrata-based niyama: eating only at night (naktabhojana) with simple sāttvika food (śāli-rice with milk and ghee), supporting purity, restraint, and steadiness in Rudra-upāsanā.