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

శ్రుతి–స్మృతి బోధించిన ధర్మాన్ని తెలిసినవాడు ‘ధర్మజ్ఞుడు’ అని పిలువబడతాడు. విద్యాసాధన ద్వారా బ్రహ్మచారి సద్గుణవంతుడై—గురుహితకారిగా—శుద్ధ ఆచరణతో పశు-జీవాన్ని పతి శివుని అనుగ్రహానికి పాత్రుడిగా చేస్తాడు.

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.