Shloka 27

Adhyaya 34: भस्ममहात्म्यं—अग्नीषोमात्मक-शिवतत्त्वं तथा पाशुपतव्रतप्रशंसा

Devanagari script

तस्मान्न निन्द्याः पूज्याश्च विकृता मलिना अपि रूपान्विताश् च विप्रेन्द्राः सदा योगीन्द्रशङ्कया

Transliteration

tasmānna nindyāḥ pūjyāśca vikṛtā malinā api rūpānvitāś ca viprendrāḥ sadā yogīndraśaṅkayā

Translation

Darum sollen die vornehmsten Brahmanen niemals geschmäht werden; sie sind zu ehren—ob entstellt, unrein oder auch von schöner Gestalt—stets aus Verehrung und vorsichtiger Scheu vor der Macht großer Yogins.

Word by Word

• tasmāt: therefore

• na: not

• nindyāḥ: to be censured/blamed

• pūjyāḥ ca: and to be worshiped/honored

• vikṛtāḥ: deformed/altered

• malināḥ api: even if impure/soiled

• rūpa-anvitāḥ ca: and even if possessed of (good) form/beauty

• vipra-indrāḥ: the best of Brahmanas

• sadā: always

• yogīndra-śaṅkayā: out of fear/awe (śaṅkā) of the lord of yogins / great yogins

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-Puja as inseparable from dharma: honoring Shiva’s devotees—especially yogins and Brahmana-elders—protects the worshipper from aparadha (offense) and aligns the pashu (soul) toward Pati (Shiva).

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

By implying the awesome potency of yogins (yogīndras), it reflects Shiva-tattva as Yogindra—whose spiritual power works through realized beings beyond outer appearance, reminding that the inner consciousness linked to Pati matters more than external form.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights yogic discipline and the etiquette of approaching ascetics: maintain reverence, avoid ninda (censure), and honor realized practitioners—an essential supporting rule for Pashupata-oriented sadhana and Shiva-Puja.