Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 87

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

Devanagari script

ततः संनिहितो विप्रश् चार्वाक् पूर्वं तदेव वै संवत्सरे व्यतीते तु स्नानमात्रेण शुध्यति

Transliteration

tataḥ saṃnihito vipraś cārvāk pūrvaṃ tadeva vai saṃvatsare vyatīte tu snānamātreṇa śudhyati

Translation

其后，彼婆罗门——迦尔瓦迦（Cārvāka）——先行趋近并在彼处守候；一年既过，唯以沐浴便得真实清净。

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then/thereafter

• saṃnihitaḥ: having come near, being present

• vipraḥ: brāhmaṇa, learned priest

• cārvāk(aḥ): Cārvāka (proper name)

• pūrvam: first, beforehand

• tad eva: that very (rule/condition)

• vai: indeed

• saṃvatsare: in a year

• vyatīte: having elapsed, passed

• tu: but/indeed

• snāna-mātreṇa: by bathing alone

• śudhyati: becomes purified

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating purificatory regulations within the Linga Purana)

Characters & Entities

• Cārvāka

FAQs

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

It establishes śauca (ritual purity) as a prerequisite for approaching Shiva’s Linga, indicating that a defined period of observance culminates in purification through snāna, restoring fitness for pūjā.

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

By emphasizing purification and eligibility, it implies Shiva as Pati—the supremely pure Lord—whose worship requires the pashu (individual soul) to remove mala-like impurities and become fit for divine proximity.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A prāyaścitta-oriented śauca practice: after the prescribed lapse of one year, purification is completed through snāna (ritual bath), reinforcing disciplined conduct as support for Shiva-pūjā and Pāśupata-oriented inner cleansing.