Shloka 20

आचार्य-धर्मलक्षण-श्रद्धाभक्तिप्राधान्यं तथा लिङ्गे ध्यान-पूजाविधानसंकेतः

Adhyaya 10

Devanagari script

वर्तते त्वसकृद्वृत्तिः कृत्स्ना ह्येषा दया स्मृता यद्यदिष्टतमं द्रव्यं न्यायेनैवागतं क्रमात्

Transliteration

vartate tvasakṛdvṛttiḥ kṛtsnā hyeṣā dayā smṛtā yadyadiṣṭatamaṃ dravyaṃ nyāyenaivāgataṃ kramāt

Translation

Bila perilaku terus-menerus berjalan demikian, itulah yang dikenang sebagai dayā yang sempurna. Harta yang paling dicintai, diperoleh bertahap melalui jalan nyāya (kebenaran), hendaknya diarahkan bagi kesejahteraan makhluk—melonggarkan ikatan pāśa berupa kekurangan dan derita, serta menuntun paśu (jiwa terikat) menuju Pati, Sang Śiva.

Word by Word

• वर्तते: proceeds, is practiced

• तु: indeed/but

• असकृत्: repeatedly, again and again

• वृत्तिः: conduct, mode of living, practice

• कृत्स्ना: entire, complete

• हि: for/indeed

• एषा: this

• दया: compassion, mercy

• स्मृता: is remembered/declared

• यत्-यत्: whatever

• इष्टतमम्: most desired, most cherished

• द्रव्यम्: wealth, substance, possession

• न्यायेन: by justice, by righteous means

• एव: alone/indeed

• आगतम्: obtained, come into one’s possession

• क्रमात्: gradually, in due order, step by step.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana’s dharma teaching to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames dayā as a repeated, steady way of life—using lawfully earned resources in service and giving—supporting the ethical foundation that makes Shiva-puja fruitful and purifying.

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

By implying Pati-centered dharma: compassion expressed through righteous action becomes a means for the paśu to lessen pāśa and turn toward Shiva, the Lord who receives and sanctifies such dharmic offerings.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Dana grounded in nyāya (just acquisition) is highlighted—an essential auxiliary to Shaiva sadhana, supporting inner purification that complements puja and Pashupata-oriented discipline.