Shloka 20

आचार्य-धर्मलक्षण-श्रद्धाभक्तिप्राधान्यं तथा लिङ्गे ध्यान-पूजाविधानसंकेतः

Adhyaya 10

Devanagari script

वर्तते त्वसकृद्वृत्तिः कृत्स्ना ह्येषा दया स्मृता यद्यदिष्टतमं द्रव्यं न्यायेनैवागतं क्रमात्

Transliteration

vartate tvasakṛdvṛttiḥ kṛtsnā hyeṣā dayā smṛtā yadyadiṣṭatamaṃ dravyaṃ nyāyenaivāgataṃ kramāt

Translation

ولكن إذا كانت سيرة المرء تمضي مرارًا على هذا النحو، فذلك يُذكر على أنه الرحمة الكاملة (dayā). وأيُّ مالٍ هو أحبّ ما يملك، وقد ناله تدريجًا بوسائل عادلة (nyāya)، فليُوجَّه لخير الكائنات—لتليين قيود (pāśa) العوز والألم، ولمواءمة الـpaśu (النفس المقيّدة) مع الـPati، الربّ السيّد.

Word by Word

• वर्तते: proceeds, is practiced

• तु: indeed/but

• असकृत्: repeatedly, again and again

• वृत्तिः: conduct, mode of living, practice

• कृत्स्ना: entire, complete

• हि: for/indeed

• एषा: this

• दया: compassion, mercy

• स्मृता: is remembered/declared

• यत्-यत्: whatever

• इष्टतमम्: most desired, most cherished

• द्रव्यम्: wealth, substance, possession

• न्यायेन: by justice, by righteous means

• एव: alone/indeed

• आगतम्: obtained, come into one’s possession

• क्रमात्: gradually, in due order, step by step.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana’s dharma teaching to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames dayā as a repeated, steady way of life—using lawfully earned resources in service and giving—supporting the ethical foundation that makes Shiva-puja fruitful and purifying.

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

By implying Pati-centered dharma: compassion expressed through righteous action becomes a means for the paśu to lessen pāśa and turn toward Shiva, the Lord who receives and sanctifies such dharmic offerings.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Dana grounded in nyāya (just acquisition) is highlighted—an essential auxiliary to Shaiva sadhana, supporting inner purification that complements puja and Pashupata-oriented discipline.