Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 15

आचार्य-धर्मलक्षण-श्रद्धाभक्तिप्राधान्यं तथा लिङ्गे ध्यान-पूजाविधानसंकेतः

Adhyaya 10

Devanagari script

सम्यग्विनीता ऋजवस् तानाचार्यान् प्रचक्षते स्वयमाचरते यस्माद् आचारे स्थापयत्यपि

Transliteration

samyagvinītā ṛjavas tānācāryān pracakṣate svayamācarate yasmād ācāre sthāpayatyapi

Translation

凡受持严正训练、心行端直者，称为阿阇梨（ācārya）；因为他们自身奉行正行，也使他人安立于同一正行之中。

Word by Word

• सम्यक् (samyak): properly, rightly

• विनीता (vinītāḥ): well-trained, disciplined

• ऋजवः (ṛjavāḥ): straight, upright, sincere

• तान् (tān): those

• आचार्यान् (ācāryān): teachers, preceptors

• प्रचक्षते (pracakṣate): they declare/call (them)

• स्वयम् (svayam): themselves

• आचरते (ācarate): practice, observe

• यस्मात् (yasmāt): because, since

• आचारे (ācāre): in conduct, in right practice (ācāra)

• स्थापयति (sthāpayati): establishes, sets (others)

• अपि (api): also, indeed

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It defines the ācārya as one who embodies and transmits sadācāra, implying that proper Linga-pūjā is safeguarded by lived discipline (ācāra) and correct initiation-guidance rather than mere recitation.

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

By stressing purity of conduct and the power to establish others in it, the verse aligns with Shiva as Pati—the liberating Lord—whose grace operates through the guru who models and imparts the Shaiva path that loosens pāśa (bondage) upon the paśu (soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Pāśupata-oriented sadācāra: self-practice (svayam ācarate) and training others in disciplined conduct, which is the foundation for effective mantra, pūjā-vidhi, and yogic restraints in Shaiva sādhanā.