Shloka 26

Shivamurti–Pratishtha Phala: Shivalaya-Nirmana, Kshetra-Mahatmya, Tirtha-Snana, and Mandala-Vidhi

Devanagari script

कर्तुरप्यधिकं पुण्यं लभते नात्र संशयः वृत्त्यर्थं वा प्रकुर्वीत नरः कर्म शिवालये

Transliteration

karturapyadhikaṃ puṇyaṃ labhate nātra saṃśayaḥ vṛttyarthaṃ vā prakurvīta naraḥ karma śivālaye

Translation

He gains merit even greater than that of the one who commissioned the work—of this there is no doubt. Even if a man labors in Śiva’s temple merely for livelihood, he still attains sacred merit.

Word by Word

• कर्तुः (kartuḥ): of the doer/one who causes (the act) to be done

• अपि (api): even

• अधिकम् (adhikam): greater

• पुण्यम् (puṇyam): merit, sacred virtue

• लभते (labhate): obtains

• न (na): not

• अत्र (atra): here/in this matter

• संशयः (saṁśayaḥ): doubt

• वृत्त्यर्थम् (vṛtty-artham): for livelihood/maintenance

• वा (vā): or/even if

• प्रकुर्वीत (prakurvīta): should do/undertakes

• नरः (naraḥ): a man/person

• कर्म (karma): work/service/ritual task

• शिवालये (śivālaye): in the abode/temple of Shiva

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It elevates Śiva-sevā in the temple as intrinsically purifying: even ordinary work done in a Shivālaya supports Linga-centered worship and yields puṇya, strengthening devotion to Pati (Shiva).

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

Shiva-tattva is shown as supremely gracious: contact with His abode and service offered there bears spiritual fruit beyond social status or motive, helping the paśu (soul) loosen pāśa (bondage) through proximity to Pati.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Temple-sevā as a form of karma-yoga in a Shaiva frame—service in the Shivālaya (cleaning, assisting worship, maintaining the space) becomes a supportive limb of Linga-pūjā and inner purification aligned with Pāśupata discipline.