Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17

आचार्य-धर्मलक्षण-श्रद्धाभक्तिप्राधान्यं तथा लिङ्गे ध्यान-पूजाविधानसंकेतः

Adhyaya 10

Devanagari script

इज्या वेदात्मकं श्रौतं स्मार्तं वर्णाश्रमात्मकम् दृष्ट्वानुरूपमर्थं यः पृष्टो नैवापि गूहति

Transliteration

ijyā vedātmakaṃ śrautaṃ smārtaṃ varṇāśramātmakam dṛṣṭvānurūpamarthaṃ yaḥ pṛṣṭo naivāpi gūhati

Translation

Ang pagsamba (ijyā) ay may anyong Veda—kapwa ang mga ritong Śrauta at ang mga pagtalimaing Smārta—na nakaayos ayon sa varṇa at āśrama. Ang sinumang nakakakita ng angkop sa kalagayan at, kapag tinanong, ay hindi nagkukubli ng wastong kahulugan, siya ang tunay na nagtataguyod ng landas ng dharma sa pagsamba kay Śiva.

Word by Word

• इज्या (ijyā): worship, sacrificial service

• वेदात्मकम् (vedātmakam): constituted of the Veda, Veda-based

• श्रौतं (śrautaṃ): belonging to Śruti, solemn Vedic ritual

• स्मार्तं (smārtaṃ): based on Smṛti, domestic/ethical observance

• वर्णाश्रमात्मकम् (varṇāśramātmakam): grounded in the varṇa-āśrama order

• दृष्ट्वा (dṛṣṭvā): having seen/considered

• अनुरूपम् (anurūpam): suitable, fitting

• अर्थम् (arthaṃ): meaning, purport, practical intent

• यः (yaḥ): who

• पृष्टः (pṛṣṭaḥ): when asked, being questioned

• न एव अपि (na eva api): not at all, never

• गूहति (gūhati): hides, conceals.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the dharma of Shiva-oriented worship to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Veda
• Varna
• Ashrama

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva-worship (including Linga-pūjā) as Veda-rooted and dharma-aligned—performed through Śrauta and Smārta modes—and insists that proper guidance about fitting practice should be openly taught when asked.

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

Shiva-tattva is implied as the Pati who is approached through Veda-sanctioned worship; the verse emphasizes right understanding and transmission of dharma rather than secrecy, supporting Shiva as the accessible Lord who accepts orderly, appropriate devotion.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritualistically, it highlights Śrauta yajña and Smārta observances applied to Shiva-worship under varṇāśrama propriety; yogically, it supports the Pāśupata principle that instruction must be given according to adhikāra (fitness) and context.