Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 31

Adhyaya 52: सोमाधारः, पुण्योदानदी, मेरुप्रदक्षिणा, जम्बूद्वीपनववर्षवर्णनम्

Devanagari script

धर्मार्थकामसंयुक्तो वर्णानां तु स्वकर्मसु संकल्पश्चाभिमानश् च आश्रमाणां यथाविधि

Transliteration

dharmārthakāmasaṃyukto varṇānāṃ tu svakarmasu saṃkalpaścābhimānaś ca āśramāṇāṃ yathāvidhi

Translation

当依诸种姓之本分而行，使之与 dharma（法）、artha（利）、kāma（欲）相调和；并依诸住期（āśrama）之正法，守持 saṅkalpa（正愿、正意）与 abhimāna（自持之严整）。如此，paśu（个体之魂）方能安定于通向 Pati——主宰湿婆——之道。

Word by Word

• धर्म (dharma): sacred law, righteousness

• अर्थ (artha): prosperity, purpose, material support for duty

• काम (kāma): desire, lawful enjoyment

• संयुक्तः (saṃyuktaḥ): joined, integrated

• वर्णानाम् (varṇānām): of the social orders (varṇas)

• तु (tu): indeed, in particular

• स्वकर्मसु (sva-karmasu): in one’s own prescribed duties

• संकल्पः (saṅkalpaḥ): intention, resolve, vow

• च (ca): and

• अभिमानः (abhimānaḥ): self-sense, dignified discipline (regulated ego-sense)

• आश्रमाणाम् (āśramāṇām): of the life-stages (āśramas)

• यथाविधि (yathā-vidhi): according to injunction, as prescribed

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Linga Purana teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya)

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-worship as grounded in disciplined living: performing one’s ordained duties with proper intention (saṅkalpa) and regulated self-sense, which purifies the pashu and makes Shiva-puja fruitful.

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

Implicitly, it presents Shiva as Pati—the Lord toward whom ordered dharma and inner resolve are directed—so worldly aims (artha, kāma) are subordinated to a Shaiva path of purification and alignment.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights preparatory discipline for Shaiva sādhanā: maintaining saṅkalpa (vowed intention) and abhimāna (controlled self-regard) while following āśrama rules—supporting Pashupata-oriented steadiness for worship and yoga.