Shloka 23

क्षुपस्य विष्णुदर्शनं, वैष्णवस्तोत्रं, दधीचविवादः, स्थानेश्वरतीर्थमाहात्म्यं

Devanagari script

अवध्यः सर्वदा सर्वैः शङ्करार्चनतत्परः सावज्ञं वामपादेन स मां मूर्ध्नि सदस्यथ

Transliteration

avadhyaḥ sarvadā sarvaiḥ śaṅkarārcanatatparaḥ sāvajñaṃ vāmapādena sa māṃ mūrdhni sadasyatha

Translation

«إنه لا يجوز أن يُؤذى من أحدٍ في أيّ زمان، لأنه مُنصرفٌ كلّيًا إلى عبادة شنكره (شِيفا). ومع ذلك، وبازدراءٍ، ضغط على رأسي بقدمه اليسرى.»

Word by Word

• avadhyaḥ: not to be slain / inviolable

• sarvadā: always

• sarvaiḥ: by all (beings)

• śaṅkara-arcana-tat-paraḥ: wholly intent on Śaṅkara’s worship

• sāvajñam: disrespectfully, contemptuously

• vāma-pādena: with the left foot

• saḥ: he

• mām: me

• mūrdhni: on the head

• sadasyatha: pressed down / set (upon)

Speaker

Suta (narrating an embedded episode about the power of Shiva-devotees)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Shankara)

FAQs

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

It asserts that one devoted to Śaṅkara’s arcana (including linga-pūjā) becomes “avadhya”—socially and spiritually protected—highlighting the sanctity and potency of Shiva-worship in the Linga Purana.

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

Shiva-tattva is implied as the supreme refuge (Pati) whose grace makes the pious devotee inviolable; harming or insulting such devotion is portrayed as a grave transgression against the Lord’s dharma.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Śaṅkara-arcana—regular worship of Shiva (often through the linga)—is emphasized as a Pāśupata-aligned discipline where devotion and reverence loosen pāśa (bondage) and attract Pati’s protection.