Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 104

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

Devanagari script

स्नानं शौचं तथा गानं रोदनं हसनं तथा यानमभ्यञ्जनं नारी द्यूतं चैवानुलेपनम्

Transliteration

snānaṃ śaucaṃ tathā gānaṃ rodanaṃ hasanaṃ tathā yānamabhyañjanaṃ nārī dyūtaṃ caivānulepanam

Translation

沐浴、洁净、歌唱、哭泣、欢笑、出行、涂油按摩与妆饰涂抹、沉溺女色、赌博，以及涂抹香料与膏香——在奉事湿婆的戒行中皆当克制，以免 paśu（被缚之魂）再被牵回 pāśa（系缚），而常向 Pati——大天湿婆归心。

Word by Word

• स्नानम्: bathing

• शौचम्: purification/cleanliness

• तथा: and/likewise

• गानम्: singing

• रोदनम्: crying/weeping

• हसनम्: laughing

• तथा: and also

• यानम्: travel/going about

• अभ्यञ्जनम्: oiling the body/massage

• नारी: woman/sexual indulgence

• द्यूतम्: gambling

• च: and

• एव: indeed

• अनुलेपनम्: smearing/anointing with perfumes/unguents/cosmetics

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-dharma/pūjā-niyama material to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It lists common activities and indulgences that disturb vrata-focus; restraining them protects ritual purity and steadies the devotee’s mind for Linga-puja, keeping the pashu from slipping into pasha.

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

By implication, Shiva as Pati is approached through inner and outer discipline; the verse frames worship as a movement from distraction and attachment toward steadiness in Shiva-consciousness.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Vrata-niyama and indriya-nigraha (sense-restraint) aligned with Pashupata-oriented discipline—reducing pleasure-seeking and agitation to support mantra, puja, and meditation on the Linga.