Shloka 88

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

Devanagari script

आचार्यं पूजयेच्छिष्यः सर्वदातिप्रयत्नतः हस्त्यश्वरथरत्नानि क्षेत्राणि च गृहाणि च

Transliteration

ācāryaṃ pūjayecchiṣyaḥ sarvadātiprayatnataḥ hastyaśvaratharatnāni kṣetrāṇi ca gṛhāṇi ca

Translation

A disciple should worship and honor the Ācārya at all times with utmost effort, offering gifts such as elephants, horses, chariots, precious jewels, fields, and even houses—so that the path to Śiva (Pati) is approached through humble service and right giving.

Word by Word

• आचार्यम्: the spiritual preceptor (Ācārya)

• पूजयेत्: should worship/honor

• शिष्यः: the disciple

• सर्वदा: always

• अतिप्रयत्नतः: with great effort/earnestness

• हस्ति: elephant

• अश्व: horse

• रथ: chariot

• रत्नानि: jewels/precious gems

• क्षेत्राणि: fields/lands

• च: and

• गृहाणि: houses/dwellings

• च: and

Speaker

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

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-centered Shaiva practice as inseparable from honoring the Ācārya: devotion to Śiva is stabilized through guru-sevā and dana, which purify the disciple’s intention and conduct.

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

Śiva is implicitly approached as Pati (the Lord beyond bondage), while the disciple as pashu progresses toward Him through disciplined giving and reverence—transforming possessiveness (a pasha) into offering.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Dana and guru-pūjā are highlighted as core Shaiva observances supporting Pashupata-oriented discipline: service to the teacher and sacrificial generosity as practical means of inner purification.