Shloka 172

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

Devanagari script

तथा पापं विलीयेत आचार्यस्य समीपतः यथा प्रज्वलितो वह्निर् विष्ठां काष्ठं च निर्दहेत्

Transliteration

tathā pāpaṃ vilīyeta ācāryasya samīpataḥ yathā prajvalito vahnir viṣṭhāṃ kāṣṭhaṃ ca nirdahet

Translation

So too does sin dissolve in the very nearness of the Ācārya—just as a blazing fire completely burns up both filth and wood. In the Śaiva path, the Guru’s presence kindles jñāna-agni, the fire of wisdom, searing the pāśa (bondage) clinging to the paśu (soul) and turning it toward Pati, Lord Śiva.

Word by Word

• तथा (tathā): in that manner/so

• पापं (pāpaṁ): sin, demerit, impurity

• विलीयेत (vilīyeta): would dissolve, would melt away

• आचार्यस्य (ācāryasya): of the teacher/preceptor

• समीपतः (samīpataḥ): from proximity/nearby

• यथा (yathā): just as

• प्रज्वलितः (prajvalitaḥ): blazing, fully kindled

• वह्निः (vahniḥ): fire

• विष्ठाम् (viṣṭhām): filth/excrement (symbol of impurity)

• काष्ठम् (kāṣṭham): wood/fuel

• च (ca): and

• निर्दहेत् (nirdahet): would burn up completely

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the teaching to the sages of Naimisharanya, within a Guru-sevā context)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Agni

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-bhakti as inseparable from Guru-sannidhya: staying near the Ācārya purifies the sādhaka, making the mind fit for Śiva-linga pūjā and for receiving mantra and vidhi without impurity.

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

By the fire metaphor it points to Śiva as the inner jñāna-agni—Pati—who burns the pasha of the paśu; the Ācārya functions as Śiva’s channel, through whom that purifying power becomes accessible to the disciple.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Guru-sevā and ācārya-sannidhāna (living/remaining close to the Guru) are highlighted as a core Shaiva discipline, supporting Pashupata-style purification that precedes deeper japa, dhyāna, and Linga pūjā.