Shloka 23

अध्याय ९६: शरभ-प्रादुर्भावः, नृसिंह-दर्पशमनम्, विष्णोः शिवस्तुतिः, फलश्रुति

Devanagari script

त्वया धर्माश् च वेदाश् च शुभे मार्गे प्रतिष्ठिताः यदर्थम् अवतारो ऽयं निहतः सो ऽपि केशव

Transliteration

tvayā dharmāś ca vedāś ca śubhe mārge pratiṣṭhitāḥ yadartham avatāro 'yaṃ nihataḥ so 'pi keśava

Translation

Por ti, oh Keśava, tanto el Dharma como los Vedas han quedado firmemente establecidos en el sendero auspicioso. Y aquel por cuya causa tuvo lugar este descenso (avatāra), también ha sido ya abatido.

Word by Word

• त्वया: by you

• धर्माः: dharmas, righteous ordinances

• च: and

• वेदाः: the Vedas

• च: and

• शुभे: auspicious, beneficial

• मार्गे: on the path, in the way

• प्रतिष्ठिताः: established, firmly set

• यदर्थम्: for which purpose

• अवतारः: descent, incarnation

• अयम्: this

• निहतः: slain, destroyed

• सः: he/that one

• अपि: also, indeed

• केशव: O Keśava (Vishnu/Krishna).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating an internal praise addressed to Keśava within the Purana’s dialogue flow)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu (Keśava)
• Dharma
• Vedas

FAQs

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

It frames restoration of Dharma and Vedic order as a divine function; Linga-worship is presented in the Purana as the śubha-mārga that stabilizes the pashu (soul) in right conduct and right knowledge under Pati (Shiva).

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

Though addressed to Keśava, the verse fits the Linga Purana’s Shaiva siddhānta emphasis: Pati establishes the true path by which Dharma and śruti stand; this ‘establishing power’ ultimately belongs to Shiva-tattva as the inner governor enabling order and liberation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway is adherence to the śubha-mārga—Veda-aligned conduct and discipline—consistent with Pāśupata orientation: purifying action (kriyā) and steady observance that removes pāśa (bondage) and supports devotion and worship.