Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 179

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

Devanagari script

गुणे तु ख्यापिते तस्य सार्वगुण्यफलं भवेत् गुरोर्हितं प्रियं कुर्याद् आदिष्टो वा न वा सदा

Transliteration

guṇe tu khyāpite tasya sārvaguṇyaphalaṃ bhavet gurorhitaṃ priyaṃ kuryād ādiṣṭo vā na vā sadā

Translation

But when his virtue is proclaimed, one attains the fruit of complete excellence in all qualities. One should always do what is beneficial and dear to the Guru—whether commanded or not.

Word by Word

• गुणे (guṇe): in virtue/merit/quality

• तु (tu): indeed/but

• ख्यापिते (khyāpite): when made known/proclaimed

• तस्य (tasya): of him/of that person

• सार्वगुण्यफलम् (sārvaguṇya-phalam): the fruit of all-round excellence/complete good qualities

• भवेत् (bhavet): becomes/arises/is obtained

• गुरोः (guroḥ): of the guru/spiritual preceptor

• हितम् (hitam): beneficial/welfare-promoting

• प्रियम् (priyam): pleasing/dear

• कुर्यात् (kuryāt): should do/should perform

• आदिष्टः (ādiṣṭaḥ): instructed/commanded

• वा (vā): or

• न (na): not

• वा (vā): or

• सदा (sadā): always.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana’s teaching to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-bhakti as inseparable from guru-seva: the devotee’s merit matures into “all-round excellence” when the Guru recognizes and guides that virtue, and the practitioner serves the Guru’s welfare and pleasure as a daily discipline.

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

In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, Shiva as Pati is approached through right conduct under the Guru’s grace; the Guru functions as the living conduit of Shiva’s anugraha (liberating favor) that ripens the Pashu’s virtues and loosens Pasha (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Guru-seva as a core limb of Pashupata discipline: proactive service—doing what benefits and pleases the Guru even without explicit instruction—supporting steadiness in vrata, puja, and yogic restraint.