Shloka 137

उमामहेश्वरव्रतं—पञ्चाक्षरमन्त्रस्य माहात्म्यं, न्यासः, जपविधिः, सदाचारः, विनियोगः

Devanagari script

यत्सत्यं ब्रह्म इत्याहुर् असत्यं ब्रह्मदूषणम् अनृतं परुषं शाठ्यं पैशुन्यं पापहेतुकम्

Transliteration

yatsatyaṃ brahma ityāhur asatyaṃ brahmadūṣaṇam anṛtaṃ paruṣaṃ śāṭhyaṃ paiśunyaṃ pāpahetukam

Translation

Man sagt: Die Wahrheit ist Brahman selbst; doch die Unwahrheit ist eine Befleckung Brahmans. Lüge, harte Rede, Trug und Verleumdung sind Ursachen, die Sünde hervorbringen—Fesseln des pāśa, die den paśu (die Seele) daran hindern, sich Pati, dem Herrn Śiva, zuzuwenden.

Word by Word

• yat: that which

• satyam: truth

• brahma: Brahman / the Absolute

• iti: thus

• āhuḥ: they say

• asatyam: falsehood

• brahma-dūṣaṇam: a taint/defilement of Brahman

• anṛtam: untruth/lying

• paruṣam: harsh/abusive speech

• śāṭhyam: deceit/crookedness

• paiśunyam: backbiting/slander

• pāpa-hetukam: the cause of sin

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana teaching to the sages at Naimisharanya)

FAQs

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

It establishes inner purity as the foundation of Linga-puja: truth aligns the devotee with Brahman/Śiva, while lying, harsh speech, deceit, and slander create pāśa (bondage) that blocks the fruit of worship.

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

By identifying satya with Brahman, it points to Shiva-tattva as the stainless Reality; falsehood is portrayed as a ‘taint’ that veils the soul’s recognition of Pati (Śiva) and strengthens impurity and limitation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Vāk-śuddhi (purification of speech) and yama-like restraints—truthfulness, non-deceit, and non-slander—are implied as essential disciplines supporting Pashupata-oriented sadhana and effective Shiva-puja.