Shloka 38

Devanagari script

वर्जयेत्सर्वयत्नेन गुरूणामपि संनिधौ तद्वाक्यप्रतिकूलं च अयुक्तं वै गुरोर्वचः

Transliteration

varjayetsarvayatnena gurūṇāmapi saṃnidhau tadvākyapratikūlaṃ ca ayuktaṃ vai gurorvacaḥ

Translation

ഗുരുക്കന്മാരുടെ സന്നിധിയിലുപോലും അവരുടെ വാക്കുകൾക്ക് വിരുദ്ധമായി സംസാരിക്കുന്നത് സർവ്വയത്നത്തോടെ ഒഴിവാക്കണം; ഗുരുവചനത്തെ എതിർക്കുന്നത് തീർച്ചയായും അനുചിതമാണ്।

Word by Word

• वर्जयेत्: one should avoid

• सर्वयत्नेन: with all effort

• गुरूणाम्: of the gurus

• अपि: even

• संनिधौ: in the presence

• तद्वाक्यप्रतिकूलम्: contrary to their speech/teaching

• च: and

• अयुक्तम्: improper, unfitting

• वै: indeed

• गुरोर्वचः: the word/instruction of the guru

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating injunctions as part of the Linga Purana’s teaching tradition)

FAQs

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

Linga-puja is transmitted through āgamic and purāṇic instruction; this verse stresses that the sādhaka should not oppose the Guru’s guidance, because correct ritual, mantra, and bhāva depend on faithful adherence to the teacher’s word.

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

Indirectly, it points to Shiva as Pati (the Lord) who is approached through right knowledge and right practice; the Guru’s instruction becomes the operative means by which the pashu (soul) moves away from pasha (bondage) toward Shiva-realization.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights Pāśupata-style discipline: guru-niṣṭhā (steadfastness in the Guru), restraint of speech, and conformity to prescribed practice—foundational for mantra-japa, vrata, and the inner yoga of devotion to Mahādeva.