Shloka 40
अद्वैतशैवसिद्धान्ते पुरुष-प्रकृति-विचारः
Puruṣa–Prakṛti Analysis in Advaita Śaiva Doctrine
यो ह्यन्यथैतन्मनुते मद्वचो मदगर्वितः । देवो वा मानवस्सिद्धो गन्धर्वो मनुजोऽपि वा
yo hyanyathaitanmanute madvaco madagarvitaḥ | devo vā mānavassiddho gandharvo manujo'pi vā
Whoever, puffed up with pride, construes my words in some other way—whether god, human, Siddha, Gandharva, or any man—errs by deviating from my command.
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
The verse condemns ego-driven reinterpretation of Shiva’s instruction. In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, pride is a form of āṇava-mala that distorts right understanding and blocks grace, so the seeker must align intellect and conduct with Shiva’s revealed intent.
Linga-worship requires fidelity to Shiva’s prescribed way—mantra, purity, and devotion—rather than self-invented meanings. The verse reinforces that Saguna Shiva’s guidance (his ‘word’) is authoritative for practice and realization.
The takeaway is disciplined, non-egotistic practice: repeat the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with humility and follow Shiva’s stated rules for worship (such as Tripundra/Bhasma and Rudraksha where taught), avoiding prideful innovation.