Shloka 30

आभ्यन्तरध्यान-तत्त्वगणना-चतुर्व्यूहयोगः

Adhyaya 28

Devanagari script

आभ्यन्तरार्चकाः पूज्या नमस्कारादिभिस् तथा विरूपा विकृताश्चापि न निन्द्या ब्रह्मवादिनः

Transliteration

ābhyantarārcakāḥ pūjyā namaskārādibhis tathā virūpā vikṛtāścāpi na nindyā brahmavādinaḥ

Translation

Those who worship within (through inner adoration of Śiva) are to be honored with salutations and the like. Even if they appear deformed or strange, these proclaimers of Brahman are not to be censured.

Word by Word

• ābhyantara-arcakāḥ: inner worshippers (those devoted to internal pūjā)

• pūjyāḥ: worthy of honor

• namaskāra-ādibhiḥ: with salutations and similar acts of reverence

• tathā: likewise/indeed

• virūpāḥ: of unattractive or unusual appearance

• vikṛtāḥ: altered/odd/aberrant in form or behavior

• ca api: even also

• na nindyāḥ: not to be criticized

• brahma-vādinaḥ: speakers/expounders of Brahman (truth-knowers)

Speaker

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

FAQs

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

It prioritizes antar-arcana (inner Linga worship) and commands devotees to honor such sādhakas with namaskāra, teaching that true Śaiva merit is measured by devotion and realization, not by outward appearance.

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

By valuing the “brahma-vādin” inner worshipper, it implies Śiva-tattva as the inward, all-pervading Reality (Pati) realized within; external form is secondary to direct inner communion with the Lord.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Antar-pūjā (internal worship)—a Pāśupata-leaning discipline of inward adoration and contemplation—paired with the ethical rule of non-censure and reverence toward realized practitioners.