Shloka 20

Vibhaga 1, Adhyaya 74 — ब्रह्मप्रोक्तलिङ्गार्चनविधिः

Materials, Classes, and Fruits of Linga-Worship

Devanagari script

रुद्रोपरि महादेवः प्रणवाख्यः सदाशिवः लिङ्गवेदी महादेवी त्रिगुणा त्रिमयांबिका

Transliteration

rudropari mahādevaḥ praṇavākhyaḥ sadāśivaḥ liṅgavedī mahādevī triguṇā trimayāṃbikā

Translation

وفوقَ رُدرا يقومُ مَهاديفا—سَدَاشِڤا، المشهور باسم پرَنَڤا (أوم). وأما المهاديڤي فهي وِدِيّ اللِّينغا، أي قاعدتها؛ إنها الغونات الثلاث بعينها، الأم أمبيكا السارية في الثالوث.

Word by Word

• rudra-upari: beyond Rudra

• mahādevaḥ: the Great Lord

• praṇava-ākhyaḥ: named/known as the Praṇava (Oṃ)

• sadāśivaḥ: Sadāśiva (the ever-auspicious Supreme)

• liṅga-vedī: the pedestal/base of the Liṅga

• mahādevī: the Great Goddess

• triguṇā: constituted of the three guṇas (sattva-rajas-tamas)

• tri-mayā-ambikā: Ambikā who is formed of/pervades the triad (threefold reality).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Rudra
• Sadashiva
• Pranava (Om)
• Mahadevi
• Ambika
• Shakti

FAQs

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

It identifies the Liṅga as Sadāśiva (Pati) and the vedī/base as Mahādevī (Śakti), teaching that Liṅga-pūjā is worship of the inseparable Shiva–Shakti reality, not a mere symbol.

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

Shiva-tattva is shown as transcendent—“beyond Rudra”—and as the Praṇava (Oṃ), indicating Sadāśiva as the supreme, subtle ground of mantra, consciousness, and liberation for the paśu (soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Liṅga-pūjā with awareness of the vedī as Śakti and meditation on Oṃ (praṇava-japa) are implied—practices that support Pāśupata orientation: turning the paśu away from guṇa-bound pasha toward Pati.