Shloka 23

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

Devanagari script

स्थण्डिलेषु विचित्रेषु पर्वतानां गुहासु च नदीनां च विविक्तेषु पुलिनेषु शुभेषु च

Transliteration

sthaṇḍileṣu vicitreṣu parvatānāṃ guhāsu ca nadīnāṃ ca vivikteṣu pulineṣu śubheṣu ca

Translation

Auf wundersam geweihten, ebenen Plätzen, in den Höhlen der Berge und auf glückverheißenden, einsamen Sandbänken an den Flüssen — dort soll man verweilen und Verehrung darbringen.

Word by Word

• स्थण्डिलेषु: on cleared/level ritual grounds

• विचित्रेषु: in wondrous/variegated (places)

• पर्वतानाम्: of mountains

• गुहासु: in caves

• च: and

• नदीनाम्: of rivers

• च: and

• विविक्तेषु: in secluded/solitary (places)

• पुलिनेषु: on sandy banks/sandbars

• शुभेषु: auspicious/pure

• च: and

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya, conveying the Purana’s guidance on Shiva-puja settings)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It prescribes ideal environments for Linga-puja—pure, secluded, and naturally sanctifying places—supporting steadiness of mind and ritual cleanliness for devotion to Pati (Shiva).

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

By directing worship to quiet, auspicious spaces, it implies Shiva as the inwardly realized Pati—best approached when the pashu (individual soul) reduces pasha (distractions and impurities) through solitude and purity.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A Pashupata-oriented discipline of place (deśa-niyama): choosing secluded caves, riverbanks, and prepared sthandila for tapas, japa, and Linga-puja to stabilize awareness and intensify devotion.