Shloka 8

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

Devanagari script

चतुरस्रं बहिश्चान्तर् अष्टास्रं पिण्डिकाश्रये वृत्तं सुदर्शनं योग्यम् एवं लिङ्गं प्रपूजयेत्

Transliteration

caturasraṃ bahiścāntar aṣṭāsraṃ piṇḍikāśraye vṛttaṃ sudarśanaṃ yogyam evaṃ liṅgaṃ prapūjayet

Translation

So soll der Liṅga in rechter Gestalt verehrt werden: äußerlich viereckig, innerlich achteckig; auf der Piṇḍikā (Basis) wohlgestützt; und rund, glückverheißend anzuschauen und für das Ritual geeignet. So vollziehe man die Verehrung des Liṅga in gebührender Weise.

Word by Word

• चतुरस्रम्: four-sided (square)

• बहिः: outwardly

• च: and

• अन्तर्: inwardly/within

• अष्टास्रम्: eight-angled (octagonal)

• पिण्डिकाश्रये: resting on/anchored in the piṇḍikā (base/yoni-pīṭha)

• वृत्तम्: circular/round

• सुदर्शनम्: beautiful to behold, auspicious in appearance

• योग्यम्: fit, proper, ritually suitable

• एवम्: thus/in this manner

• लिङ्गम्: the Śiva-liṅga

• प्रपूजयेत्: one should worship with full reverence (perform proper pūjā).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-linga worship procedure to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It gives a concise iconographic standard for a ritually valid Śiva-liṅga—its outer and inner geometry and stable base—so that pūjā is performed on a form deemed “yogya” (fit) for invoking Pati (Śiva) and granting auspicious results.

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

By emphasizing the Liṅga as “sudarśana” and “yogya,” the verse points to Śiva-tattva as formless yet approachable through a sanctified symbol—Pati made accessible to the paśu (bound soul) through a proper support for devotion and inner contemplation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights liṅga-pratiṣṭhā/arcana principles—choosing or fashioning a properly proportioned liṅga for pūjā—supporting Pāśupata-oriented practice where external worship steadies the mind for inward yoga and release from pāśa (bondage).