Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 29
त्रिपुरदीक्षाविधानम् — Tripura Dīkṣā: Prescriptive Procedure
Chapter on the Ordinance of Initiation
मलिनान्येव वासांसि धारयंतो ह्यभाषिणः । धर्मो लाभः परं तत्त्वं वदंतस्त्वतिहर्षतः
malinānyeva vāsāṃsi dhārayaṃto hyabhāṣiṇaḥ | dharmo lābhaḥ paraṃ tattvaṃ vadaṃtastvatiharṣataḥ
Mereka hanya mengenakan pakaian yang kotor dan berbicara sedikit. Dengan girang mereka berseru: “Dharma saja adalah keuntungan sejati; itulah Tattva tertinggi.”
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Mantra: धर्मो लाभः परं तत्त्वम्
Type: stotra
FAQs
It praises renunciation and inner discipline: true “profit” is dharma aligned with the supreme tattva, which in Shaiva Siddhanta culminates in turning the soul (paśu) toward Shiva (Pati) and liberation from bonds (pāśa).
By declaring dharma as the highest gain, it frames Linga/Saguna Shiva worship as a dharmic means—not mere ritual for worldly rewards—leading the devotee toward right conduct, purification, and realization of the supreme principle indicated by the Linga.
A spirit of austerity and restraint is implied: simplify living, reduce idle speech, and practice steady dharmic worship—such as daily japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a disciplined, renunciant mindset.