Shloka 180

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

Devanagari script

असमक्षं समक्षं वा गुरोः कार्यं समाचरेत् गुरोर्हितं प्रियं कुर्यान् मनोवाक्कायकर्मभिः

Transliteration

asamakṣaṃ samakṣaṃ vā guroḥ kāryaṃ samācaret gurorhitaṃ priyaṃ kuryān manovākkāyakarmabhiḥ

Translation

Dù Guru hiện diện hay vắng mặt, người đệ tử vẫn phải siêng năng thực hành công việc của Guru. Bằng tâm, lời và thân nghiệp, hãy làm điều lợi ích và làm đẹp lòng Guru—nhờ sự phụng sự có kỷ luật ấy mà paśu (linh hồn bị trói buộc) được gột luyện, hướng về Pati (Śiva) qua trung gian của Guru.

Word by Word

• asamākṣam: in the Guru’s absence

• samākṣam: in the Guru’s presence

• vā: or

• guroḥ: of the Guru

• kāryam: duty/work to be done

• samācaret: should practice/perform properly

• guroḥ: of the Guru

• hitam: beneficial, conducive to welfare

• priyam: pleasing, dear

• kuryāt: should do

• manasā (mano-): by mind

• vācā (vāk-): by speech

• kāyena (kāya-): by body

• karmabhiḥ: by actions/deeds

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shaiva dharma to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It establishes that Shiva-puja is not merely ritual performance but disciplined conduct: serving the Guru’s instructions consistently (seen or unseen) purifies the practitioner, making Linga worship effective and dharmic.

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

Shiva-tattva is approached through the Guru as the living channel of Pati’s grace; aligning mind, speech, and body in obedient service reduces pasha (bondage) and turns the pashu toward Shiva’s liberating presence.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights Guru-seva as a core limb of Shaiva sadhana (aligned with Pashupata discipline): unwavering execution of the Guru’s karya with mental, verbal, and physical purity.