Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 133

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

Devanagari script

वर्णाश्रमविधानोक्तं धर्मं कुर्वीत यत्नतः

Transliteration

varṇāśramavidhānoktaṃ dharmaṃ kurvīta yatnataḥ

Translation

当以勤勉之力，奉行依种姓与住期（varṇa、āśrama）之制所规定的法（dharma）——使被缚之灵（paśu）堪受湿婆之主恩（pati-kṛpā），并令缚索（pāśa）渐得松解。

Word by Word

• वर्ण (varṇa): social class/order

• आश्रम (āśrama): stage of life

• विधान (vidhāna): rule, ordinance, prescribed procedure

• उक्तम् (uktam): stated, taught, enjoined

• धर्मम् (dharmam): righteous duty, sacred law

• कुर्वीत (kurvīta): one should do/practice

• यत्नतः (yatnataḥ): with effort, carefully, diligently

Speaker

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

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames varṇāśrama-dharma as the foundational discipline that purifies the paśu (individual soul), making one fit for Śiva-pūjā and receptive to Śiva’s anugraha (grace), which ultimately cuts pāśa (bondage).

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

Śiva is implied as Pati—the Lord whose grace liberates—while dharma is presented as a preparatory means that aligns the soul with cosmic order, enabling the descent of Śiva’s saving power rather than mere worldly merit.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights disciplined adherence to prescribed duties (niyama-like ethical observance) as the qualifying ground for Śaiva practice—supporting later pūjā-vidhi and Pāśupata-oriented sādhanā through steadiness and purity.