Shloka 128

Devanagari script

यस्मादाचारहीनस्य साधनं निष्फलं भवेत् आचारः परमो धर्म आचारः परमं तपः

Transliteration

yasmādācārahīnasya sādhanaṃ niṣphalaṃ bhavet ācāraḥ paramo dharma ācāraḥ paramaṃ tapaḥ

Translation

ആചാരഹീനനു എല്ലാ സാധനവും നിഷ്ഫലമാകുന്നു. ആചാരമാണ് പരമധർമ്മം; ആചാരമാണ് പരമതപസ്—പാശബന്ധങ്ങളെ ലയിപ്പിച്ച് പശുവിനെ പതി ശിവനിലേക്കു നയിക്കുന്നത്.

Word by Word

• यस्मात्: because/for this reason

• आचारहीनस्य: of one lacking proper conduct

• साधनम्: spiritual practice/means

• निष्फलम्: fruitless

• भवेत्: becomes

• आचारः: right conduct/discipline

• परमो: highest/supreme

• धर्मः: dharma/righteous order

• परमम्: supreme

• तपः: austerity/inner heat of discipline

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the teaching to the sages of Naimisharanya)

FAQs

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

It states that without ācāra (ethical and ritual discipline), even Linga-pūjā and other sādhana become ineffective; conduct is presented as the very foundation that makes worship bear fruit.

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

By implication, Shiva as Pati is approached not merely through external acts but through purified living—ācāra that removes pāśa (bondage) and aligns the paśu (soul) with the divine order.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A core Pāśupata principle: sādhana must be supported by disciplined conduct—cleanliness, restraint, truthfulness, and regulated worship—otherwise tapas and practice do not mature into liberation-oriented results.