Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 153

उमामहेश्वरव्रतं—पञ्चाक्षरमन्त्रस्य माहात्म्यं, न्यासः, जपविधिः, सदाचारः, विनियोगः

Devanagari script

नो पेत्स्! अजाश्वानखुरोष्ट्राणां मार्जनात् तुषरेणुकान् संस्पृशेद् यदि मूढात्मा श्रियं हन्ति हरेरपि

Transliteration

no pets! ajāśvānakhuroṣṭrāṇāṃ mārjanāt tuṣareṇukān saṃspṛśed yadi mūḍhātmā śriyaṃ hanti harerapi

Translation

不可触摸在梳理山羊、马、狗、驴或骆驼时所扬起的尘土与糠屑；若愚迷之人触之，便会毁损śrī之福泽与吉祥，纵是哈利（Hari）所赐亦复如是。

Word by Word

• नो: not

• पेत्स् (पृशेत्/स्पृशेत् अभिप्रायः): should touch

• अज: goat

• अश्व: horse

• श्वान: dog

• खर: donkey

• उष्ट्र: camel

• -आणाम्: of (gen. pl.)

• मार्जनात्: from grooming/cleaning

• तुष: chaff/husk

• रेणुकान्: dust-particles

• संस्पृशेत्: should come into contact with

• यदि: if

• मूढात्मा: deluded-minded person

• श्रियम्: prosperity/auspicious fortune (śrī)

• हन्ति: destroys

• हरेरपि: even of Hari (Viṣṇu)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Characters & Entities

• Hari (Vishnu)

FAQs

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

It reinforces śauca (ritual cleanliness) as a prerequisite for effective Linga-pūjā: contact with impure dust from animal-grooming is said to diminish auspiciousness, so the worshipper preserves purity to support mantra, offering, and devotion.

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

Indirectly, it implies that approaching the Pati (Lord) through Linga worship requires disciplined conduct; purity safeguards the sādhaka’s receptivity so grace can dissolve pāśa (bondage) from the pashu (individual soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Śauca-ācāra: maintaining external cleanliness and avoiding contaminating contacts before pūjā; this supports inner steadiness (yoga) and the efficacy of Pāśupata-oriented worship and observance.