Shloka 20

Adhyaya 49: जम्बूद्वीप-मेर्वादि-वर्षपर्वत-वन-सरः-रुद्रक्षेत्र-वर्णनम्

Devanagari script

नीलश् च वैडूर्यमयः श्वेतः शुक्लो हिरण्मयः मयूरबर्हवर्णस्तु शातकुंभस् त्रिशृङ्गवान्

Transliteration

nīlaś ca vaiḍūryamayaḥ śvetaḥ śuklo hiraṇmayaḥ mayūrabarhavarṇastu śātakuṃbhas triśṛṅgavān

Translation

It is described as blue, made of the vaidūrya gem; as white and radiant; as golden; as bearing the hue of a peacock’s plume; as fashioned of śātakuṃbha-gold; and as three-peaked. Thus are the auspicious appearances of the Liṅga of Pati (Śiva).

Word by Word

• nīlaḥ: blue

• ca: and

• vaiḍūrya-mayaḥ: made of vaidūrya (cat’s-eye/beryl-like gem)

• śvetaḥ: white

• śuklaḥ: bright, pure, luminous

• hiraṇ-mayaḥ: made of gold

• mayūra-barha-varṇaḥ: having the color of a peacock’s feather

• tu: indeed/and further

• śātakuṃbhaḥ: made of śātakuṃbha (fine gold)

• tri-śṛṅga-vān: possessing three peaks/projections

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Linga

FAQs

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

It authorizes multiple sacred materials and visual forms of the Linga (gem, gold, luminous white/blue hues), guiding devotees to worship Pati through consecrated, auspicious embodiments suited to ritual and meditation.

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

By presenting many colors and substances for one Linga, it points to Shiva-tattva as one Pati appearing through diverse attributes—pure (śukla), radiant, and precious—while remaining beyond all limiting forms that bind the paśu.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Linga-pūjā with properly fashioned/consecrated Lingas (gem or gold) is implied, and for Pāśupata-oriented contemplation the varying hues support dhyāna on the Linga as the luminous sign of Pati that loosens pāśa (bondage).