Shloka 2

Adhyaya 89: शौचाचारलक्षणम् — सदाचार, भैक्ष्यचर्या, प्रायश्चित्त, द्रव्यशुद्धि, आशौच-निर्णय

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मणा कथितं पूर्वं सर्वभूतहिताय वै संक्षेपात्सर्ववेदार्थं संचयं ब्रह्मवादिनाम्

Transliteration

brahmaṇā kathitaṃ pūrvaṃ sarvabhūtahitāya vai saṃkṣepātsarvavedārthaṃ saṃcayaṃ brahmavādinām

Translation

Formerly, Brahmā, for the welfare of all beings, expounded in concise form a compendium of the essential meaning of all the Vedas—gathered and preserved by the brahmavādins, the knowers of Brahman—so that the path to the Supreme Lord, Pati, may be understood without confusion.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मणा (brahmaṇā): by Brahmā

• कथितम् (kathitam): declared, taught

• पूर्वम् (pūrvam): formerly, in the beginning

• सर्वभूतहिताय (sarvabhūtahitāya): for the welfare of all beings

• वै (vai): indeed

• संक्षेपात् (saṃkṣepāt): in brief, concisely

• सर्ववेदार्थम् (sarvavedārtham): the meaning/essence of all the Vedas

• संचयम् (saṃcayam): collection, compendium

• ब्रह्मवादिनाम् (brahmavādinām): of the Brahman-knowers, Vedic theologians/expounders

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Brahma’s earlier teaching within the Purana’s frame)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma

FAQs

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

It frames the Linga Purana’s authority by claiming that the essence of all Vedas was condensed for universal welfare—supporting Linga-worship as a Veda-aligned, accessible means to approach Pati (Shiva).

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

By pointing to the ‘essence of all Vedas’ preserved by Brahman-knowers, it implies that the Supreme purport culminates in realizing the highest principle—understood in Shaiva Siddhanta as Pati, the Lord who grants release to Pashu from Pasha.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No single rite is named; the verse signals a concise transmission meant to guide practice—typically expressed in the Linga Purana as Shiva-upasana (Linga-puja) and Pashupata-oriented discipline aimed at liberation.