शिवार्चनविधिः — देवतानां पाशुपतव्रतप्राप्तिः तथा पशुपाशविमोक्षणम् (अध्याय ८०)
गोपुरैर्गोपतेः शंभोर् नानाभूषणभूषितैः अनेकैः सर्वतोभद्रैः सर्वरत्नमयैस् तथा
gopurairgopateḥ śaṃbhor nānābhūṣaṇabhūṣitaiḥ anekaiḥ sarvatobhadraiḥ sarvaratnamayais tathā
Es war geschmückt mit vielen Gopuras Śambhus, des Herrn und Beschützers, geziert mit mannigfaltigem Schmuck; zahlreich, nach allen Seiten glückverheißend und ebenso ganz aus Edelsteinen aller Art gefertigt.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya, describing Shiva’s divine splendor within the broader Linga Purana narration)
By depicting Śiva’s gem-filled, auspicious gopuras, the verse frames Linga worship as entering a consecrated field of śivam (auspicious reality), where the devotee approaches Pati (Śiva) through ordered, sanctified space.
Śiva is presented as Śambhu and Gopati—the auspicious Lord and Protector—implying His role as Pati who shelters and uplifts the bound soul (paśu) beyond bondage (pāśa).
The verse primarily supports pūjā-vidhi through temple symbolism: approaching the sanctum via auspicious gateways mirrors the yogic movement from outer supports to inner steadiness, culminating in focused worship of the Linga.