Shloka 131

उमामहेश्वरव्रतं—पञ्चाक्षरमन्त्रस्य माहात्म्यं, न्यासः, जपविधिः, सदाचारः, विनियोगः

Devanagari script

उपयान्ति कुयोनित्वं तद्वद् आचारलङ्घनात् आचारहीनः पुरुषो लोके भवति निन्दितः

Transliteration

upayānti kuyonitvaṃ tadvad ācāralaṅghanāt ācārahīnaḥ puruṣo loke bhavati ninditaḥ

Translation

By transgressing proper conduct (ācāra), beings fall into degraded births; likewise, a man devoid of right conduct becomes censured in the world. For the bound soul (paśu), violation of dharmic discipline strengthens bondage (pāśa) and turns one away from the auspicious path that leads toward Pati, Lord Śiva.

Word by Word

• उपयान्ति: they go/attain

• कुयोनित्वम्: degraded birth/low womb-state

• तद्वत्: likewise/in the same way

• आचारलङ्घनात्: due to transgression of proper conduct

• आचारहीनः: devoid of right conduct

• पुरुषः: man/person

• लोके: in the world

• भवति: becomes

• निन्दितः: censured/blamed/disgraced

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-pūjā is not merely ritual action; without ācāra (right conduct), the paśu accrues heavier pāśa (bondage), leading to social and spiritual downfall rather than Śiva’s grace.

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

Śiva is implied as Pati—the liberating Lord—toward whom disciplined conduct directs the soul; when ācāra is broken, the soul turns away from that liberating alignment and remains bound by karmic consequences.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights ethical discipline (yama-like restraint) as the foundation for Śaiva sādhana, supporting Pāśupata-oriented practice and making worship, japa, and vrata spiritually effective.