Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 34
पूजाविधिः
Pūjā-vidhiḥ) — The Supreme Procedure of Worship (Morning Observances
धातुजन्यां तथैवान्यां पारदां वा प्रकल्पयेत् । नमस्कृत्य पुनस्तां च पूजयेद्भक्तितत्परः
dhātujanyāṃ tathaivānyāṃ pāradāṃ vā prakalpayet | namaskṛtya punastāṃ ca pūjayedbhaktitatparaḥ
ينبغي أن يُشكِّله من مادةٍ مولودةٍ من المعادن، أو من جوهرٍ آخرَ لائق، أو حتى من الزئبق؛ ثم بعد أن ينحني ساجدًا مرةً أخرى، يعبده ببهكتيٍ خالصةٍ ذاتِ توجّهٍ واحد إلى شيفا.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Affirms that even a personally fashioned liṅga—when made with devotion and proper worship—becomes a valid locus for Śiva’s grace (anugraha) for the householder.
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
The verse emphasizes that the outer material of the sacred emblem is secondary; the essential requirement is reverent salutation and steadfast bhakti directed to Lord Shiva, the Pati who grants grace and liberation.
It directly instructs the preparation of a worship-worthy form (liṅga) from metals or mercury and then prescribes worship—affirming Saguna Shiva-upāsanā where the formless Lord is approached through a consecrated symbol.
A practical takeaway is to establish a properly prepared Shiva-liṅga (including metal/mercury forms where traditional and safe), offer repeated namaskāra, and perform pūjā with one-pointed devotion—ideally accompanied by Shiva-mantra japa such as the Pañcākṣarī.