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

汝によりて、ケーシャヴァよ、ダルマもヴェーダも吉祥の道に堅く据えられたり。この降臨（アヴァターラ）の目的であったその者も、今やまた討たれたり。

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.