Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 15
नित्येन ब्रह्मचर्येण लिड्रमस्य यदा स्थितम् । महयत्यस्य लोकक्न प्रियं होतन्महात्मन:
nityena brahmacaryeṇa liṅgam asya yadā sthitam | mahayaty asya lokānāṁ priyaṁ hotaṁ mahātmanāḥ ||
Vāyu said: “When a person, steadfast in daily brahmacarya, regularly worships this Śiva-liṅga, it becomes exceedingly dear to the great-souled Lord Śaṅkara and brings honor and uplift to the worlds. The teaching is that disciplined self-restraint joined with consistent devotion is especially pleasing to Śiva and yields auspicious benefit beyond the individual.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that brahmacarya (disciplined self-restraint) combined with consistent daily worship is especially pleasing to Śiva (Śaṅkara) and produces auspicious, elevating results for the wider world, not merely the practitioner.
Vāyu is speaking, praising a specific religious observance: maintaining brahmacarya and performing daily worship of a Śiva-liṅga. He states that such practice becomes dear to Śaṅkara and leads to honor and uplift for the worlds.