Shloka 25

Pāśupata-vrata Māhātmya: Dvādaśa-Liṅga Mahāvrata, Month-wise Dravya, and Pūjā-krama

Devanagari script

शैलं वा दारुजं वापि मृन्मयं वा सवेदिकम् सर्वगन्धमयं वापि क्षणिकं परिकल्पयेत्

Transliteration

śailaṃ vā dārujaṃ vāpi mṛnmayaṃ vā savedikam sarvagandhamayaṃ vāpi kṣaṇikaṃ parikalpayet

Translation

Man soll einen verehrungswürdigen Liṅga gestalten, selbst wenn nur in vorübergehender Form: aus Stein, oder aus Holz, oder aus Lehm, mit Altarbasis; oder ihn mit allen Düften wohlriechend machen—je nach dem, was verfügbar ist.

Word by Word

• śailam: of stone

• vā: or

• dāru-jam: made of wood

• vā api: or even

• mṛn-mayam: made of clay

• vā: or

• sa-vedikam: together with a vedi (altar/base)

• sarva-gandha-mayam: consisting of all fragrances/perfumes

• vā api: or even

• kṣaṇikam: temporary/for the moment

• parikalpayet: one should arrange/construct/fashion

Speaker

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

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It authorizes accessible Liṅga-pūjā by permitting multiple materials—even a temporary Liṅga—so devotion to Pati (Śiva) is not obstructed by lack of resources.

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

Śiva as Pati is approached through a consecrated symbol that may be temporary; the verse implies that Shiva-tattva is not limited by the substance of the emblem, but received through right intention and proper worship.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights Liṅga-nirmāṇa and pūjā-vidhi—constructing a Liṅga with a vedi and offering fragrances—supporting disciplined sādhanā aligned with Pāśupata devotion (bhakti with regulated ritual).