Shloka 176

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

Devanagari script

जपान्यनियमाश्चैव नात्र कार्या विचारणा गुरोर्विरुद्धं यद्वाक्यं न वदेत्सर्वयत्नतः

Transliteration

japānyaniyamāścaiva nātra kāryā vicāraṇā gurorviruddhaṃ yadvākyaṃ na vadetsarvayatnataḥ

Translation

जपस्य नियमेष्वत्र न विचारः प्रवर्तते। गुरोर्विरुद्धं यद्वाक्यं सर्वयत्नेन नोच्यते॥

Word by Word

• जपा (japā): repetition of mantra

• नियमाः (niyamāḥ): disciplines/observances

• च एव (ca eva): and indeed

• नात्र (nātra): here/in this matter

• कार्या (kāryā): to be done/required

• विचारणा (vicāraṇā): deliberation/debate

• गुरोः (guroḥ): of the Guru

• विरुद्धम् (viruddham): contrary/opposed

• यत् (yat): which

• वाक्यम् (vākyam): speech/statement

• न (na): not

• वदेत् (vadet): one should speak

• सर्व-यत्नतः (sarva-yatnataḥ): with all effort/at all costs

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the traditional Shaiva discipline as taught in the Linga Purana’s guru-centered instruction)

Characters & Entities

• Guru

FAQs

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

It establishes that effective japa and Linga-upāsanā depend on guru-śāsana: the sādhaka’s speech and conduct must not oppose the Guru, because the Guru transmits the right mantra-vidhi and bhāva necessary for Shiva’s grace.

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

Indirectly, it points to Shiva-tattva as accessed through proper transmission and discipline: the Guru functions as the visible guide to Pati (Shiva), leading the bound pashu away from pasha through correct japa and right conduct.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Mantra-japa with niyama is highlighted, especially the yogic restraint of speech (vāk-samyama): one must avoid guru-viruddha speech to keep the practice aligned with Pashupata discipline.