Shloka 166

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

Devanagari script

सगुणो निर्गुणो वापि तस्याज्ञां शिरसा वहेत् श्रेयो ऽर्थी यस्तु गुर्वाज्ञां मनसापि न लङ्घयेत्

Transliteration

saguṇo nirguṇo vāpi tasyājñāṃ śirasā vahet śreyo 'rthī yastu gurvājñāṃ manasāpi na laṅghayet

Translation

Whether the Lord is contemplated as with attributes (saguṇa) or beyond attributes (nirguṇa), one should bear His command upon one’s head. The seeker of the highest good should never transgress the Guru’s injunction—even in the mind.

Word by Word

• सगुणः: with attributes (saguṇa)

• निर्गुणः: without attributes, beyond qualities (nirguṇa)

• वा अपि: or even

• तस्य: of him/that (Lord/Guru in context)

• आज्ञाम्: command, injunction

• शिरसा: with the head (as a sign of reverence)

• वहेत्: should carry/bear

• श्रेयः: the highest good, auspicious liberation

• अर्थी: one who seeks/desires

• यः तु: but whoever

• गुरोः आज्ञाम् (गुर्वाज्ञाम्): the Guru’s command

• मनसा अपि: even by the mind

• न: not

• लङ्घयेत्: should overstep/violate.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating a doctrinal instruction within the Purva-Bhaga teaching sequence)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Guru

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-upāsanā as a discipline rooted in ājñā (injunction): the devotee (pashu) progresses toward śreyas by honoring Shiva’s and the Guru’s command with total reverence, making ritual and conduct aligned with Śaiva dharma.

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

It allows both saguna and nirguna contemplation: Shiva as Pati can be worshiped with form and qualities for devotion, yet realized as beyond all guṇas in the highest insight—without contradiction.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Guru-ājñā-anusaraṇa (strict adherence to the Guru’s instruction) is emphasized as a core Pāśupata discipline—purifying the mind so that worship and yoga are not broken even at the level of intention.