Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 52

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

Devanagari script

सशैवालं तथान्यैर्वा दोषैर्दुष्टं विवर्जयेत् च्लेअनिन्ग् ओफ़् च्लोथेस् वस्त्रशौचान्वितः कुर्यात् सर्वकार्याणि वै द्विजाः

Transliteration

saśaivālaṃ tathānyairvā doṣairduṣṭaṃ vivarjayet cleaning of clothes vastraśaucānvitaḥ kuryāt sarvakāryāṇi vai dvijāḥ

Translation

凡被污秽所染者——或如藻垢之类，或由其他过失——皆应弃除。噫，二次生者！具足衣服清净者，当在洁净之境中行一切事务与仪轨，尤当如法而行湿婆相关之行持。

Word by Word

• saśaivālam: with algae/filth

• tathā: likewise

• anyaiḥ: by other

• vā: or

• doṣaiḥ: by defects/impurities

• duṣṭam: contaminated/tainted

• vivarjayet: should avoid/discard

• vastra: garments/clothes

• śauca-anvitaḥ: possessed of cleanliness

• kuryāt: should do/perform

• sarva-kāryāṇi: all acts/rituals

• vai: indeed

• dvijāḥ: the twice-born (ritually initiated).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-dharma and śauca rules to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It establishes śauca—especially clean clothing and avoidance of defiled materials—as a prerequisite for effective Liṅga-pūjā, aligning outer purity with inner devotional focus toward Pati (Śiva).

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

By insisting on purity before action, it implies that approach to Shiva-tattva requires refinement of the worshipper’s state; the pashu (soul) reduces pasha (impurity/bondage) through disciplined conduct while turning toward Pati.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritual śauca (purity) as part of pūjā-vidhi—clean garments and rejection of contaminated items—supporting the Pāśupata-style discipline where external order reinforces inner steadiness.