Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 22

आचार्य-धर्मलक्षण-श्रद्धाभक्तिप्राधान्यं तथा लिङ्गे ध्यान-पूजाविधानसंकेतः

Adhyaya 10

Devanagari script

कारुण्यात्सर्वभूतेभ्यः संविभागस्तु मध्यमः श्रुतिस्मृतिभ्यां विहितो धर्मो वर्णाश्रमात्मकः

Transliteration

kāruṇyātsarvabhūtebhyaḥ saṃvibhāgastu madhyamaḥ śrutismṛtibhyāṃ vihito dharmo varṇāśramātmakaḥ

Translation

以悲悯一切众生之故，中道即是公平的分配（资具与职责）。此乃《闻》（Śruti）与《忆》（Smṛti）所制之法——依种姓与住期（varṇa-āśrama）而立的法——由此使受缚之灵（paśu）渐次净化，并被引向主宰（Pati）。

Word by Word

• कारुण्यात्: out of compassion

• सर्वभूतेभ्यः: toward all beings

• संविभागः: distribution, sharing, proper allotment

• तु: indeed

• मध्यमः: the middle, balanced (moderate) path

• श्रुतिस्मृतिभ्याम्: by the Vedas (Śruti) and the tradition/law-texts (Smṛti)

• विहितः: prescribed, enjoined

• धर्मः: dharma, righteous order/duty

• वर्णाश्रमात्मकः: having the nature of varṇa and āśrama (social and life-stage disciplines)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana’s teaching to the sages of Naimisharanya)

FAQs

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

It frames Śiva-bhakti as inseparable from dharma: compassion and fair sharing purify the worshipper, making Linga-pūjā fruitful by reducing ego and possessiveness—forms of pāśa (bondage).

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

Indirectly: Śiva as Pati is approached through purification of the paśu. By living the Śruti–Smṛti grounded dharma with compassion, the soul becomes fit for Śiva’s grace (anugraha), which culminates in liberation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes ethical sādhanā supporting worship—especially dāna/saṃvibhāga (sharing, charitable distribution) as a disciplined practice aligned with varṇāśrama, preparing the practitioner for deeper Śaiva observances.