Shloka 31

आभ्यन्तरध्यान-तत्त्वगणना-चतुर्व्यूहयोगः

Adhyaya 28

Devanagari script

आभ्यन्तरार्चकाः सर्वे न परीक्ष्या विजानता निन्दका एव दुःखार्ता भविष्यन्त्यल्पचेतसः

Transliteration

ābhyantarārcakāḥ sarve na parīkṣyā vijānatā nindakā eva duḥkhārtā bhaviṣyantyalpacetasaḥ

Translation

ആഭ്യന്തരാരാധകർ എല്ലാവരെയും ജ്ഞാനി പുറംലക്ഷണങ്ങളാൽ പരീക്ഷിക്കരുത്. നിന്ദിക്കുന്നവരാണ് ദുഃഖത്തിൽ പീഡിതരായി അല്പബുദ്ധികളായി തീരുന്നത്.

Word by Word

• आभ्यन्तरार्चकाः: inward/inner (or merely internal) worshippers

• सर्वे: all

• न: not

• परीक्ष्या: having been examined/tested

• विजानता: by one who knows/discriminates

• निन्दकाः: critics, fault-finders

• एव: indeed/only

• दुःखार्ताः: distressed by suffering

• भविष्यन्ति: they become/they will be

• अल्पचेतसः: small-minded, of limited understanding

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It warns that worship lacking discernment and authentic inner transformation degenerates into nindā (fault-finding), keeping the worshipper bound in duḥkha rather than moving toward Shiva’s grace.

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

By implication, Shiva-tattva is approached not by mere external or untested religiosity, but through viveka (discriminative knowing) that purifies the pashu and loosens pasha, leading toward Pati—Shiva.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights the need for examined practice—pujā joined with inner discipline (Pashupata-oriented viveka and niyama)—so devotion does not become mere outward action and criticism of others.