Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 179

उमामहेश्वरव्रतं—पञ्चाक्षरमन्त्रस्य माहात्म्यं, न्यासः, जपविधिः, सदाचारः, विनियोगः

Devanagari script

गुणे तु ख्यापिते तस्य सार्वगुण्यफलं भवेत् गुरोर्हितं प्रियं कुर्याद् आदिष्टो वा न वा सदा

Transliteration

guṇe tu khyāpite tasya sārvaguṇyaphalaṃ bhavet gurorhitaṃ priyaṃ kuryād ādiṣṭo vā na vā sadā

Translation

କିନ୍ତୁ ଗୁରୁଙ୍କ ଗୁଣ ପ୍ରଶଂସିତ ହେଲେ ସର୍ବଗୁଣସମ୍ପନ୍ନତାର ଫଳ ମିଳେ। ଆଦେଶ ଥାଉ କି ନ ଥାଉ, ସଦା ଗୁରୁଙ୍କ ହିତ ଓ ପ୍ରିୟ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ କର।

Word by Word

• गुणे (guṇe): in virtue/merit/quality

• तु (tu): indeed/but

• ख्यापिते (khyāpite): when made known/proclaimed

• तस्य (tasya): of him/of that person

• सार्वगुण्यफलम् (sārvaguṇya-phalam): the fruit of all-round excellence/complete good qualities

• भवेत् (bhavet): becomes/arises/is obtained

• गुरोः (guroḥ): of the guru/spiritual preceptor

• हितम् (hitam): beneficial/welfare-promoting

• प्रियम् (priyam): pleasing/dear

• कुर्यात् (kuryāt): should do/should perform

• आदिष्टः (ādiṣṭaḥ): instructed/commanded

• वा (vā): or

• न (na): not

• वा (vā): or

• सदा (sadā): always.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana’s teaching to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-bhakti as inseparable from guru-seva: the devotee’s merit matures into “all-round excellence” when the Guru recognizes and guides that virtue, and the practitioner serves the Guru’s welfare and pleasure as a daily discipline.

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

In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, Shiva as Pati is approached through right conduct under the Guru’s grace; the Guru functions as the living conduit of Shiva’s anugraha (liberating favor) that ripens the Pashu’s virtues and loosens Pasha (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Guru-seva as a core limb of Pashupata discipline: proactive service—doing what benefits and pleases the Guru even without explicit instruction—supporting steadiness in vrata, puja, and yogic restraint.