Shloka 8

आचार्य-धर्मलक्षण-श्रद्धाभक्तिप्राधान्यं तथा लिङ्गे ध्यान-पूजाविधानसंकेतः

Adhyaya 10

Devanagari script

श्रौतस्मार्तस्य धर्मस्य ज्ञानाद्धर्मज्ञ उच्यते विद्यायाः साधनात्साधुब्रह्मचारी गुरोर्हितः

Transliteration

śrautasmārtasya dharmasya jñānāddharmajña ucyate vidyāyāḥ sādhanātsādhubrahmacārī gurorhitaḥ

Translation

श्रुती-स्मृतीत सांगितलेल्या धर्माचे ज्ञान झाल्याने मनुष्य ‘धर्मज्ञ’ म्हणवतो. विद्येच्या साधनेने ब्रह्मचारी साधु होतो—गुरुहितकारी—आणि शुद्ध आचरणाने पशु-जीवाला पति शिवाच्या अनुग्रहास पात्र करतो.

Word by Word

• श्रौतस्मार्तस्य: of what is taught in Śruti and Smṛti (Vedic and traditional law)

• धर्मस्य: of dharma (religious duty/right order)

• ज्ञानात्: from knowledge/understanding

• धर्मज्ञः: knower of dharma

• उच्यते: is said/called

• विद्यायाः: of learning/true knowledge (vidyā)

• साधनात्: by practice/discipline/means of attainment

• साधु-ब्रह्मचारी: a good/virtuous brahmacārin (celibate student)

• गुरोः: of the teacher (guru)

• हितः: beneficial/devoted to the welfare (of).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Linga Purana teachings to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Guru
• Śruti
• Smṛti

FAQs

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

It defines eligibility: knowledge of Śruti–Smṛti dharma and disciplined brahmacarya under a guru purify the seeker, making the pashu fit for Shiva’s grace and for correct Shaiva worship.

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

Implicitly, Shiva is Pati who bestows anugraha; the soul’s approach to Shiva-tattva requires dharmic alignment and purification through right knowledge and conduct.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Brahmacarya with guru-sevā and vidyā-sādhana—foundational discipline that supports Pāśupata-oriented purification before higher Shaiva sādhanā and pujā.