Shloka 35

आचार्य-धर्मलक्षण-श्रद्धाभक्तिप्राधान्यं तथा लिङ्गे ध्यान-पूजाविधानसंकेतः

Adhyaya 10

Devanagari script

पतन्ति चात्मभोगार्थं भक्तो भावेन मुच्यते भक्तानां दर्शनादेव नृणां स्वर्गादयो द्विजाः

Transliteration

patanti cātmabhogārthaṃ bhakto bhāvena mucyate bhaktānāṃ darśanādeva nṛṇāṃ svargādayo dvijāḥ

Translation

Those who fall into worldly pursuits for the sake of self-enjoyment are bound; but the devotee is liberated through true inner feeling (bhāva). O twice-born ones, by the mere sight of Śiva’s devotees, men gain heaven and other auspicious states—for bhakti loosens the bonds (pāśa) and turns the bound soul (paśu) toward the Lord (Pati).

Word by Word

• पतन्ति: fall down, decline

• च: and

• आत्मभोगार्थम्: for the purpose of self-enjoyment

• भक्तः: the devotee

• भावेन: by inner feeling, devotional disposition

• मुच्यते: is released, is liberated

• भक्तानाम्: of devotees

• दर्शनात्: from seeing, by the sight

• एव: indeed, merely

• नृणाम्: of men

• स्वर्गादयः: heaven and other (good states)

• द्विजाः: O twice-born (Brahmins)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that Linga-puja becomes truly liberating when supported by bhāva (inner devotion), and that even seeing Shiva’s devotees (satsanga/darśana) produces powerful merit leading toward higher states and liberation.

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

Shiva is implied as Pati—the Lord who frees the bound soul (paśu) from bondage (pāśa); devotion aligns the soul with Shiva-tattva, transforming worldly fall into spiritual release.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Satsanga (association and darśana of Shiva-bhaktas) and bhāva-bhakti are highlighted as essential supports to puja and Pashupata-oriented discipline, because they weaken self-enjoyment tendencies and purify the mind.