Shloka 39
Pārthiva-Śiva-liṅga Saṃkhyā-vidhāna
Enumeration and Procedure of Earthen Liṅga Worship
ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियो वैश्यः शूद्रो वा प्रतिलोमजः । पूजयेत्सततं लिंगं तत्तन्मंत्रेण सादरम्
brāhmaṇaḥ kṣatriyo vaiśyaḥ śūdro vā pratilomajaḥ | pūjayetsatataṃ liṃgaṃ tattanmaṃtreṇa sādaram
سواء كان المرء برهمنًا أو كشترِيًّا أو فيشْيًّا أو شودرًا، أو حتى من مولدٍ مختلط (براتيلُوما)، فعليه أن يداوم على عبادة لِنْغا شيفا بخشوع، متلوًّا المانترا الموافق لطريقته المقرّرة في العبادة.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Śiva Purāṇa teachings to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: General liṅga-arcana teaching: Śiva’s grace is accessible through liṅga worship irrespective of jāti; the ‘appropriate mantra’ indicates adhikāra-based procedure rather than exclusion from devotion.
Significance: Affirms universal eligibility for liṅga-bhakti; stresses continuity (satata) and reverence (sādara) as the core qualifications.
FAQs
It affirms the universality of Śiva-bhakti: regardless of social identity or birth, sincere and reverent worship of the liṅga with mantra is a valid means to purify the soul (paśu) and move toward Śiva’s grace (pati).
The liṅga is the accessible, saguna focus through which the devotee approaches the transcendent (nirguṇa) Śiva; the verse emphasizes steady worship and mantra-discipline as the practical doorway to that realization.
Regular (satataṃ) liṅga-pūjā with respectful attention and mantra-japa—especially the pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” where applicable—performed according to one’s authorized procedure and capacity.