Shivamurti–Pratishtha Phala: Shivalaya-Nirmana, Kshetra-Mahatmya, Tirtha-Snana, and Mandala-Vidhi
तस्माच्छतगुणं पुण्यं स्पर्शनं च प्रदक्षिणम् तस्माच्छतगुणं पुण्यं जलस्नानमतः परम्
tasmācchataguṇaṃ puṇyaṃ sparśanaṃ ca pradakṣiṇam tasmācchataguṇaṃ puṇyaṃ jalasnānamataḥ param
لذلك فإن لمس اللِّينغا وأداء الطواف التعبّدي حولها (برادكشِنا) يهب ثوابًا مضاعفًا مئةَ مرة؛ وأسمى من ذلك أن الغُسل بالماء (الأبهيشيكا) يُقال إنه يمنح ثوابًا يزيد مئةَ مرة أخرى، متجاوزًا ما قبله.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga-puja merits to the sages of Naimisharanya)
It establishes a hierarchy of puja-acts: sparśana (touching) and pradakṣiṇā (circumambulation) are highly meritorious, yet jala-snāna (water-abhisheka) is praised as even more potent, emphasizing purification and surrender to Pati (Shiva).
Shiva-tattva is approached here through the Liṅga as the accessible form of Pati: contact (sparśana), reverent movement (pradakṣiṇā), and ablution (abhisheka) become means by which the paśu (soul) turns toward grace, weakening pāśa (bondage).
Ritually, it highlights pradakṣiṇā and jala-abhisheka of the Liṅga; yogically, it supports Pāśupata-oriented purification—external worship that disciplines intention and devotion, preparing the paśu for Shiva’s anugraha (liberating grace).