Shloka 26
प्रणवार्थ-शिवतत्त्व-निर्णयः
The Determination of Śiva as the Meaning of Praṇava
ब्रह्मचर्येण मुनयो देवा यज्ञक्रियाध्वना । पितरः प्रजया तृप्ता इति हि श्रुतिरब्रवीत्
brahmacaryeṇa munayo devā yajñakriyādhvanā | pitaraḥ prajayā tṛptā iti hi śrutirabravīt
En vérité, la Śruti proclame : les sages s’accomplissent par le brahmacarya (continence disciplinée) ; les dieux sont satisfaits par la voie des rites du yajña ; et les Pitṛs (ancêtres) sont comblés par la descendance. Ainsi, chaque ordre est nourri par son moyen propre ; pourtant, tous ces devoirs trouvent leur accomplissement le plus élevé lorsqu’ils sont offerts avec dévotion au Seigneur Śiva, le Pati suprême, qui accorde la délivrance au-delà de tous les liens.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
The verse classifies dharma by function: brahmacarya strengthens the sage’s inner power, yajña sustains the devas through sacred obligation, and progeny continues the ancestral line—showing that disciplined life, ritual duty, and family responsibility each have a sacred place, ultimately to be oriented toward Śiva for final liberation.
It frames worldly and Vedic duties as supportive paths; in Shaiva understanding, these duties become most fruitful when dedicated to Saguna Śiva—often through Linga worship—so that action (karma) is purified into devotion (bhakti) and knowledge (jñāna).
The practical takeaway is disciplined brahmacarya (sense-restraint) alongside faithful performance of one’s prescribed rites; a Shaiva application is to offer daily Linga-pūjā with mantra-japa (especially the Panchakshara, Om Namaḥ Śivāya) as the inner anchor of all duties.