Shloka 22

लिङ्गार्चनपूर्वकं स्नानाचमनविधिः

Snana–Achamana as Preparation for Linga-Archana

Devanagari script

शृङ्गेण पर्णपुटकैः पालाशैः क्षालितैस् तथा सकुशेन सपुष्पेण जलेनैवाभिषेचयेत्

Transliteration

śṛṅgeṇa parṇapuṭakaiḥ pālāśaiḥ kṣālitais tathā sakuśena sapuṣpeṇa jalenaivābhiṣecayet

Translation

Mit einem Horn als Gießgefäß soll man die Abhiṣeka des Liṅga vollziehen, mit Wasser, das durch gewaschene Becher aus Palāśa-Blättern gereinigt ist und von kuśa-Gras und Blumen begleitet wird. So badet der Verehrer Pati rituell im disziplinierten śaivischen Kult und lockert die pāśa-Bande des paśu.

Word by Word

• शृङ्गेण: with a horn (as a vessel)

• पर्णपुटकैः: with leaf-cups/leaf-folds

• पालाशैः: made of Palāśa leaves

• क्षालितैः: washed/purified

• तथा: and likewise

• सकुशेन: together with kuśa grass

• सपुष्पेण: together with flowers

• जलेन एव: with water alone/with water itself

• अभिषेचयेत्: one should bathe (perform abhiṣeka).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-puja vidhi to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It prescribes a specific abhiṣeka method—pure water sanctified by Palāśa leaves, kuśa, and flowers—showing that Liṅga-pūjā is a disciplined, Vedic-aligned rite that purifies the worshipper and consecrates the offering.

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

Shiva is approached as Pati—the transcendent Lord who accepts simple water when it is offered with purity and right procedure; the ritual expresses surrender and the gradual release of the paśu from pasha (bondage) through devotion and observance.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Liṅgābhiṣeka using sanctified water (with kuśa and flowers) is highlighted; it functions as a Pāśupata-oriented sādhana where outer purity supports inner discipline, steadiness, and God-centered awareness.