Shloka 184

अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य — काशी-वाराणसी में मोक्ष, लिङ्ग-तीर्थ-मानचित्र, और उपासना-विधि

Devanagari script

मत्प्रियार्थमिदं कार्यं मद्भक्तैर्विधिपूर्वकम् ये न कुर्वन्ति ते भक्ता न भवन्ति न संशयः

Transliteration

matpriyārthamidaṃ kāryaṃ madbhaktairvidhipūrvakam ye na kurvanti te bhaktā na bhavanti na saṃśayaḥ

Translation

This act is to be performed for what is dear to Me, by My devotees, in accordance with prescribed rite. Those who do not perform it are not (truly) devotees—of this there is no doubt.

Word by Word

• मत् (mat): of me, my

• प्रियार्थम् (priyārtham): for what is dear/pleasing (to the Lord)

• इदम् (idam): this

• कार्यम् (kāryam): act/duty to be done

• मद्भक्तैः (madbhaktaiḥ): by my devotees

• विधिपूर्वकम् (vidhipūrvakam): according to rule/rite, in due procedure

• ये (ye): those who

• न (na): not

• कुर्वन्ति (kurvanti): do/perform

• ते (te): they

• भक्ताः (bhaktāḥ): devotees

• न भवन्ति (na bhavanti): do not become/are not

• न संशयः (na saṃśayaḥ): no doubt

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s injunction within the chapter’s teaching on proper observance)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It defines Shiva-bhakti as disciplined worship: Linga-puja must be done as Shiva’s प्रियकार्य—performed with vidhi (proper procedure), not merely as sentiment.

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

Shiva is Pati (the Lord) whose grace is approached through ordained dharma and reverent practice; devotion is validated by alignment with his injunction (ājñā) and sacred order.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Puja-vidhi (rule-governed worship) is emphasized—an outer discipline that supports inner Pashupata orientation: steadiness, obedience, and offering actions to Shiva as the supreme Pati.