Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 196

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

Devanagari script

सूर्यं नित्यमुपस्थाय सम्यगारोग्यमाप्नुयात् नदीतोयेन सम्पूर्णं घटं संस्पृश्य शोभनम्

Transliteration

sūryaṃ nityamupasthāya samyagārogyamāpnuyāt nadītoyena sampūrṇaṃ ghaṭaṃ saṃspṛśya śobhanam

Translation

恒常礼敬太阳者，得圆满安康。触及盛满河水的洁美器皿（以为净化之仪），即成吉祥，心意端正堪于供奉——由持戒修行而趋向湿婆，众生之主（Pati）。

Word by Word

• सूर्यं (sūryaṃ): the Sun

• नित्यम् (nityam): daily, constantly

• उपस्थाय (upasthāya): having attended upon, having worshipped

• सम्यक् (samyak): properly, fully

• आरोग्यम् (ārogyam): health, freedom from disease

• आप्नुयात् (āpnuyāt): one may obtain, attains

• नदीतोयेन (nadī-toyena): with river-water

• सम्पूर्णम् (sampūrṇam): filled, full

• घटम् (ghaṭam): a water-pot, vessel

• संस्पृश्य (saṃspṛśya): having touched

• शोभनम् (śobhanam): auspicious, excellent, becoming radiant/fit.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Surya

FAQs

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

It frames daily Sun-veneration and water-based purification as preparatory disciplines that make the practitioner fit (śobhana) for Śiva-pūjā, supporting steadiness and cleanliness required for Linga worship.

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

Implicitly, it presents Śiva as Pati approached through niyama (regulated observance): the pashu refines body and conduct (health and purity) to lessen pasha-like impediments and become capable of higher worship.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Nitya-sūryopasthāna (daily reverence to the Sun) and śauca via touching a river-water-filled vessel—basic pūrvāṅga (preliminaries) that support disciplined sādhana aligned with Pāśupata-oriented purity and self-regulation.