Shloka 16

आचार्य-धर्मलक्षण-श्रद्धाभक्तिप्राधान्यं तथा लिङ्गे ध्यान-पूजाविधानसंकेतः

Adhyaya 10

Devanagari script

आचिनोति च शास्त्रार्थान् आचार्यस्तेन चोच्यते विज्ञेयं श्रवणाच्छ्रौतं स्मरणात्स्मार्तमुच्यते

Transliteration

ācinoti ca śāstrārthān ācāryastena cocyate vijñeyaṃ śravaṇācchrautaṃ smaraṇātsmārtamucyate

Translation

He who gathers and assimilates the meanings of the śāstras is therefore called an Ācārya. Know that what is ‘Śrauta’ is grounded in hearing (śravaṇa) the Vedic revelation, while what is ‘Smārta’ is so called because it is based on remembrance (smaraṇa) of the tradition.

Word by Word

• आचिनोति: gathers, collects, assimilates

• च: and

• शास्त्र-अर्थान्: the meanings/purports of the scriptures

• आचार्यः: the preceptor, authoritative teacher

• तेन: therefore, by that reason

• च: and

• उच्यते: is called

• विज्ञेयम्: should be known/understood

• श्रवणात्: from hearing, by oral reception

• श्रौतं: Veda-based (Śrauta) rite/doctrine

• स्मरणात्: from remembering, from recollection

• स्मार्तम्: tradition-based (Smārta) rite/doctrine

• उच्यते: is said/called

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

FAQs

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

It establishes that correct Linga-puja must be guided by an Ācārya who has assimilated śāstra-artha, and it clarifies whether one’s observance is Śrauta (Veda-heard) or Smārta (Smṛti-remembered), helping keep worship aligned with authoritative Shaiva dharma.

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

Indirectly, it points to Shiva-tattva as knowable through pramāṇa—Vedic revelation received by śravaṇa and the remembered tradition—implying that realization of Pati (Shiva) is not arbitrary but grounded in scriptural authority transmitted by the Ācārya.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights the Śrauta–Smārta framework for practice: Veda-based rites learned through śravaṇa and Smṛti-based observances preserved through smaraṇa—both requiring disciplined transmission, which is foundational for regulated Shaiva sādhanā, including Pashupata-oriented observance under a teacher.