Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23

आचार्य-धर्मलक्षण-श्रद्धाभक्तिप्राधान्यं तथा लिङ्गे ध्यान-पूजाविधानसंकेतः

Adhyaya 10

Devanagari script

शिष्टाचाराविरुद्धश् च स धर्मः साधुरुच्यते मायाकर्मफलत्यागी शिवात्मा परिकीर्तितः

Transliteration

śiṣṭācārāviruddhaś ca sa dharmaḥ sādhurucyate māyākarmaphalatyāgī śivātmā parikīrtitaḥ

Translation

唯有不违背贤者行仪者，方名为法（dharma），此即善士（sādhū）之法。舍弃由幻力（māyā）所生诸业之果报，而其自性即是湿婆者，被称颂为真实的圣者。

Word by Word

• शिष्ट-आचार-अविरुद्धः: not opposed to the conduct of the cultured/wise

• च: and

• सः: that

• धर्मः: dharma, righteous order/duty

• साधुः: a saint, good person

• उच्यते: is said/called

• मायाः: māyā, deluding power/impurity that binds the paśu

• कर्म-फल-त्यागी: renouncer of the fruits of actions

• शिव-आत्मा: one whose self is oriented to/identified with Shiva (Pati)

• परिकीर्तितः: is proclaimed/celebrated.

Speaker

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

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga worship as inseparable from śiṣṭācāra (noble conduct) and inner renunciation—true devotion to Shiva is validated by dharmic living and non-attachment to karmic rewards.

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

Shiva is presented as the Pati (Lord) realized inwardly: the sādhaka becomes śivātmā by loosening māyā-born bondage (pāśa) through relinquishing attachment to the fruits of action.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Karmaphala-tyāga (offering up results) is emphasized as a key Pashupata-oriented discipline that purifies the paśu and supports steady Shiva-bhakti alongside outer pūjā.