Shloka 20

स्नानविधिः — गायत्र्यावाहन, सूर्यवन्दन, तर्पण, पञ्चमहायज्ञ, भस्मस्नान, मन्त्रस्नान

Devanagari script

सर्वेषां शृणु यज्ञानां ब्रह्मयज्ञः परः स्मृतः ब्रह्मयज्ञरतो मर्त्यो ब्रह्मलोके महीयते

Transliteration

sarveṣāṃ śṛṇu yajñānāṃ brahmayajñaḥ paraḥ smṛtaḥ brahmayajñarato martyo brahmaloke mahīyate

Translation

Hear of all sacrifices: Brahma-yajña is remembered as the highest. A mortal devoted to Brahma-yajña is honored in Brahma-loka, for the discipline of sacred knowledge and recitation purifies the paśu (bound soul) and turns it toward the Supreme Pati.

Word by Word

• सर्वेषाम्: of all

• शृणु: hear

• यज्ञानाम्: sacrifices/ritual offerings

• ब्रह्मयज्ञः: Brahma-yajña (sacrifice of sacred study, Vedic recitation, teaching, and contemplation of Brahman)

• परः: highest/supreme

• स्मृतः: is declared/remembered

• ब्रह्मयज्ञरतः: engaged in Brahma-yajña/devoted to sacred study

• मर्त्यः: mortal/human being

• ब्रह्मलोके: in Brahma-loka (realm of Brahmā)

• महीयते: is honored/glorified

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana teaching to the sages at Naimisharanya; conveying the śāstric hierarchy of yajñas)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma

FAQs

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

It establishes that the highest offering is Brahma-yajña—sacred recitation, study, and transmission of revealed knowledge—which supports Linga-puja by making worship mantra-centered and inwardly purifying, not merely external ritual.

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

By praising Brahma-yajña as supreme, the verse points to Shiva-tattva as realized through jñāna and mantra: the pashu rises beyond pasha (bondage) by inward sacrifice, culminating in alignment with the Supreme Pati who is the ground of Brahman.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Brahma-yajña—svādhyāya (Vedic study), japa, and teaching—an inner yajna that parallels Pashupata discipline by purifying speech, mind, and intention through mantra and contemplative knowledge.