Shloka 23

आचार्य-धर्मलक्षण-श्रद्धाभक्तिप्राधान्यं तथा लिङ्गे ध्यान-पूजाविधानसंकेतः

Adhyaya 10

Devanagari script

शिष्टाचाराविरुद्धश् च स धर्मः साधुरुच्यते मायाकर्मफलत्यागी शिवात्मा परिकीर्तितः

Transliteration

śiṣṭācārāviruddhaś ca sa dharmaḥ sādhurucyate māyākarmaphalatyāgī śivātmā parikīrtitaḥ

Translation

That alone is called dharma which does not contradict the conduct of the wise; such is the dharma of the sādhū. The true saint is declared to be one whose very self is Śiva—one who renounces the fruits of actions born of māyā.

Word by Word

• शिष्ट-आचार-अविरुद्धः: not opposed to the conduct of the cultured/wise

• च: and

• सः: that

• धर्मः: dharma, righteous order/duty

• साधुः: a saint, good person

• उच्यते: is said/called

• मायाः: māyā, deluding power/impurity that binds the paśu

• कर्म-फल-त्यागी: renouncer of the fruits of actions

• शिव-आत्मा: one whose self is oriented to/identified with Shiva (Pati)

• परिकीर्तितः: is proclaimed/celebrated.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga worship as inseparable from śiṣṭācāra (noble conduct) and inner renunciation—true devotion to Shiva is validated by dharmic living and non-attachment to karmic rewards.

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

Shiva is presented as the Pati (Lord) realized inwardly: the sādhaka becomes śivātmā by loosening māyā-born bondage (pāśa) through relinquishing attachment to the fruits of action.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Karmaphala-tyāga (offering up results) is emphasized as a key Pashupata-oriented discipline that purifies the paśu and supports steady Shiva-bhakti alongside outer pūjā.