Shloka 17

देवदारुवनौकसां प्रति ब्रह्मोपदेशः—लिङ्गलक्षण-प्रतिष्ठा-विधिः, शिवमायारूपदर्शनं, स्तुतिः

Devanagari script

प्रतिष्ठाप्य यथान्यायं पूजालक्षणसंयुतम् कलशं स्थापयेत्तस्य वेदिमध्ये तथा द्विजाः

Transliteration

pratiṣṭhāpya yathānyāyaṃ pūjālakṣaṇasaṃyutam kalaśaṃ sthāpayettasya vedimadhye tathā dvijāḥ

Translation

Nachdem man es vorschriftsgemäß eingesetzt und mit den Merkmalen und Erfordernissen der Verehrung versehen hat, sollen die Zweimalgeborenen sodann den rituellen Wasserkrug (kalaśa) für diesen Ritus mitten im Altar aufstellen. So nähert man sich durch geordnete Pūjā Pati (Śiva), und die Fesseln (pāśa), die den paśu (die Seele) binden, werden gelockert.

Word by Word

• प्रतिष्ठाप्य: having installed/consecrated

• यथा-न्यायम्: according to rule and proper procedure

• पूजा-लक्षण-संयुतम्: endowed with the characteristics/requisites of worship

• कलशम्: ritual pot (water-vessel)

• स्थापयेत्: should place/establish

• तस्य: of that (rite/installation/worship)

• वेदि-मध्ये: in the middle of the altar

• तथा: thus/in that manner

• द्विजाः: the twice-born (qualified Vedic officiants)

Speaker

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

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It specifies a key step of Linga-pūjā and pratiṣṭhā: after proper consecration, the kalaśa—central to sanctifying and offering—is placed in the altar’s center, emphasizing orderly, rule-based worship.

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

Shiva is implied as Pati, approached through ritually purified means; when worship is performed “yathā-nyāya,” the paśu’s approach becomes fit, aligning the individual with Shiva-tattva and weakening pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritual practice: kalaśa-sthāpana at the vedi’s center as part of Linga-pratiṣṭhā/pūjā-vidhi; yogic takeaway: disciplined external worship supports inner purification central to the Pāśupata orientation.