Shloka 182

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

Devanagari script

समीपस्थो ऽप्यनुज्ञाप्य वदेत्तद्विमुखो गुरुम् एवमाचारवान् भक्तो नित्यं जपपरायणः

Transliteration

samīpastho 'pyanujñāpya vadettadvimukho gurum evamācāravān bhakto nityaṃ japaparāyaṇaḥ

Translation

Even when seated close by, one should speak only after receiving permission, and should not address the Guru while turning one’s face away. A devotee established in such right conduct remains ever devoted to japa—steadfast in the discipline that leads the paśu (bound soul) toward the grace of the Pati (Śiva).

Word by Word

• samīpasthaḥ: standing/sitting nearby

• api: even

• anujñāpya: having sought permission/being permitted

• vadet: should speak

• tat-vimukhaḥ: with the face turned away/turned aside

• gurum: to the Guru

• evam: thus

• ācāravān: possessing proper conduct

• bhaktaḥ: devotee

• nityam: always

• japa-parāyaṇaḥ: devoted/absorbed in mantra-repetition (japa).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating dharma/ācāra instructions within the Linga Purana discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that Linga-upāsanā is grounded in sadācāra: humility before the Guru and disciplined japa, which purifies the paśu and makes worship receptive to Śiva’s grace.

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

Śiva is implied as Pati—the Lord who is approached not merely by ritual, but by inner refinement: obedience, reverence, and steady mantra-practice that loosens pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Nitya-japa (daily mantra repetition) supported by guru-sevā and disciplined speech—key prerequisites for Pāśupata-oriented sādhana and effective Śiva-mantra practice.