Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 52

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

Adhyaya 27

Devanagari script

प्रणवेनैव मन्त्रेण पूजयेल्लिङ्गमूर्धनि स्तोत्रं जपेच्च विधिना नमस्कारं प्रदक्षिणम्

Transliteration

praṇavenaiva mantreṇa pūjayelliṅgamūrdhani stotraṃ japecca vidhinā namaskāraṃ pradakṣiṇam

Translation

With the Praṇava (Oṃ) alone as the mantra, one should worship the summit of the Liṅga; and, according to proper rule, recite hymns, perform prostration, and make circumambulation—thus completing the Śiva-pūjā that, through devotion to the Pati (Śiva), loosens the pāśa that binds the Paśu (soul).

Word by Word

• प्रणवेन (praṇavena): by the Praṇava ‘Oṃ’

• एव (eva): alone/indeed

• मन्त्रेण (mantreṇa): with the mantra

• पूजयेत् (pūjayet): should worship

• लिङ्गमूर्धनि (liṅga-mūrdhani): on the crown/top of the Liṅga

• स्तोत्रम् (stotram): hymn/praise

• जपेत् (japet): should recite/mutter

• च (ca): and

• विधिना (vidhinā): according to the prescribed method

• नमस्कारम् (namaskāram): salutation/prostration

• प्रदक्षिणम् (pradakṣiṇam): circumambulation (keeping the deity to one’s right).

Speaker

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

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It condenses the core acts of Liṅga-pūjā—Oṃ as the mantra, worship at the Liṅga’s summit, stotra-japa, namaskāra, and pradakṣiṇā—showing a complete, orthodox sequence for approaching Śiva as Pati.

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

By prescribing the Praṇava as sufficient for worship, it implies Śiva as the supreme, all-pervading consciousness signified by Oṃ—accessible through devotion and right ritual, who grants release of the paśu from pāśa.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A practical Śaiva pūjā-vidhi: mantra (Praṇava), stotra-japa (disciplined recitation), namaskāra (ego-surrender), and pradakṣiṇā (reverential circumambulation), aligning devotion with Pāśupata orientation toward liberation.