Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 107

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

Devanagari script

संत्यागं चैव वस्त्राणां वर्जयेत्सर्वयत्नतः स्नात्वान्यपुरुषं नारी न स्पृशेत्तु रजस्वला

Transliteration

saṃtyāgaṃ caiva vastrāṇāṃ varjayetsarvayatnataḥ snātvānyapuruṣaṃ nārī na spṛśettu rajasvalā

Translation

当竭力避免不当弃置衣物。经期之女——即便沐浴之后——亦不应触碰除其夫之外的男子。如此为守 śauca（清净），护持助成湿婆礼拜之戒律。

Word by Word

• saṃtyāgam: abandonment/throwing away

• ca eva: and indeed

• vastrāṇām: of garments/clothes

• varjayet: should avoid

• sarva-yatnataḥ: with all effort

• snātvā: having bathed

• anya-puruṣam: another man (not one’s own)

• nārī: a woman

• na spṛśet: should not touch

• tu: indeed/especially

• rajasvalā: a menstruating woman

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating prescriptive Śaiva dharma to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It emphasizes śauca (ritual purity) and restrained conduct as prerequisites for stable, effective Śiva-pūjā—reducing rajas and tamas that disturb mantra, nyāsa, and devotional focus.

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

Indirectly, it presents Śiva as Pati—the pure Lord—whose worship is approached through purity and self-regulation, helping the pashu (bound soul) loosen pasha (bondage) created by passion and social transgression.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Śauca as a foundational observance: bodily and social purity rules that support Śaiva vrata and pūjā, aligning the practitioner’s conduct with sattva to steady devotion and mantra-practice.