Shloka 29

Pārthiva-Śiva-liṅga-māhātmya

The Excellence of the Earthen Śiva Liṅga

Devanagari script

रत्नजं हेमजं लिंगं पारदं स्फाटिकं तथा । पार्थिवं पुष्परागोत्थमखंडं तु प्रकारयेत्

Transliteration

ratnajaṃ hemajaṃ liṃgaṃ pāradaṃ sphāṭikaṃ tathā | pārthivaṃ puṣparāgotthamakhaṃḍaṃ tu prakārayet

Translation

Man soll vorschreiben und ordnungsgemäß zur Verehrung einsetzen den Śiva-Liṅga aus Edelsteinen, aus Gold, aus Quecksilber und ebenso aus Kristall; ferner den erdigen Liṅga, den aus Topas gefertigten Liṅga und den unversehrten, ungebrochenen Liṅga.

Word by Word

• रत्न-जम्: made of gems
• रत्न-जम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ratna (प्रातिपदिक) + ja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (रत्नात् जातम्)

• हेम-जम्: made of gold
• हेम-जम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hema (प्रातिपदिक) + ja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (हेमात् जातम्)

• लिङ्गम्: liṅga (emblem)
• लिङ्गम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: liṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• पारदम्: of mercury
• पारदम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pārada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• स्फाटिकम्: of crystal
• स्फाटिकम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sphāṭika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तथा: also
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अनुक्रमसूचक (indeclinable; ‘also/likewise’)

• पार्थिवम्: earthen
• पार्थिवम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pārthiva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• पुष्पराग-उत्थम्: arising from topaz (puṣparāga)
• पुष्पराग-उत्थम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: puṣparāga (प्रातिपदिक) + uttha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (पुष्परागात् उत्थम्/उत्पन्नम्)

• अखण्डम्: unbroken, whole
• अखण्डम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: akhaṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तु: indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विरोध/विशेषार्थक (particle; ‘but/indeed’)

• प्रकारयेत्: should make/prepare
• प्रकारयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra√kṛ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative); परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; causative sense ‘to have made/prepare’ in context

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a specific Jyotirliṅga episode; this is a general Siddhānta/Āgamic-style classification of liṅga-materials suitable for installation and worship.

Significance: Merit accrues according to śraddhā and correctness of installation; emphasis is on choosing a proper, intact liṅga for daily pūjā and consecration.

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Linga

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

The verse affirms that Śiva, though ultimately beyond form (Nirguṇa), is compassionately worshipped as Saguna through the liṅga; the material variety highlights accessibility of devotion while insisting on wholeness and reverence (akhaṇḍa—undamaged, integral).

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

It classifies acceptable liṅgas by substance—gem, gold, mercury, crystal, clay, topaz—showing that Saguna worship is supported through consecrated symbols, where the devotee focuses mind and mantra on Śiva’s presence in the liṅga.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is to choose a proper liṅga (preferably unbroken and pure), establish it with devotion, and perform liṅga-pūjā with mantra—especially the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—along with standard Śaiva offerings as per one’s capacity.