Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 15

लिङ्गार्चनविधिक्रमः—शुद्धि, न्यास, आसनकल्पना, अभिषेक, स्तोत्र-प्रदक्षिणा

Adhyaya 27

Devanagari script

कुशाग्रमक्षतांश्चैव यवव्रीहितिलानि च आज्यसिद्धार्थपुष्पाणि भसितं चार्घ्यपात्रके

Transliteration

kuśāgramakṣatāṃścaiva yavavrīhitilāni ca ājyasiddhārthapuṣpāṇi bhasitaṃ cārghyapātrake

Translation

In the arghya vessel (the offering cup), one should place the tips of kuśa grass, akṣata (unbroken rice grains), barley, rice, and sesame; also flowers together with siddhārtha (white mustard) made fit with ghee, and sacred ash—thus preparing the arghya for the worship of the Liṅga, the mark of Pati (Śiva).

Word by Word

• कुशाग्रम: tips of kuśa grass

• अक्षतान्: unbroken rice grains (akṣata)

• च एव: and indeed

• यव: barley

• व्रीहि: rice (paddy)

• तिलानि: sesame seeds

• च: and

• आज्य: ghee/clarified butter

• सिद्धार्थ: siddhārtha (white mustard seed)

• पुष्पाणि: flowers

• भसितम्: sacred ash (bhasma)

• च: and

• अर्घ्यपात्रके: in the arghya vessel (offering cup)

Speaker

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

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It specifies the arghya-pātra contents—kuśa, akṣata, grains, sesame, ghee-prepared siddhārtha, flowers, and bhasma—showing that Liṅga-pūjā is performed with purifying and auspicious substances that support mantra and sankalpa.

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

By directing arghya to the Liṅga as Pati, it implies Śiva as the sovereign Lord who receives offerings not out of need, but to uplift the paśu (bound soul) from pāśa (bondage) through sanctified, intention-filled worship.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A key element of Śaiva pūjā-vidhi is highlighted: preparing arghya with bhasma and pure substances—externally a ritual act, and internally a Pāśupata-aligned discipline of purity, steadiness, and devotion to the Liṅga.