Shloka 5

Vibhaga 1, Adhyaya 74 — ब्रह्मप्रोक्तलिङ्गार्चनविधिः

Materials, Classes, and Fruits of Linga-Worship

Devanagari script

अनन्ताद्या महानागाः प्रवालकमयं शुभम् दैत्या ह्ययोमयं लिङ्गं राक्षसाश् च महात्मनः

Transliteration

anantādyā mahānāgāḥ pravālakamayaṃ śubham daityā hyayomayaṃ liṅgaṃ rākṣasāś ca mahātmanaḥ

Translation

The great Nāgas beginning with Ananta offered an auspicious Liṅga made of coral; the Daityas offered a Liṅga made of iron; and the Rākṣasas too, O great-souled one—each according to their nature—honored the Supreme Pati through the Liṅga.

Word by Word

• अनन्ताद्याः: beginning with Ananta

• महानागाः: great Nāgas/serpent-lords

• प्रवालकमयम्: made of coral

• शुभम्: auspicious

• दैत्याः: Daityas (a class of Asuras)

• हि: indeed

• अयोमयम्: made of iron

• लिङ्गम्: Liṅga (symbol/form of Śiva as Pati)

• राक्षसाः: Rākṣasas

• च: and

• महात्मनः: O great-souled one (vocative संबोधन)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Ananta
• Nagas
• Daityas
• Rakshasas

FAQs

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

It shows that Liṅga-arcana is universal: even Nāgas, Daityas, and Rākṣasas approach Śiva through material offerings suited to their disposition, affirming the Liṅga as an accessible form of the Supreme Pati.

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

By implying that diverse beings worship the one Liṅga, it points to Śiva-tattva as the single transcendent Pati who receives devotion across all classes of beings, beyond birth and category.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights dravya-based Liṅga-pūjā (material worship through constructing/offering a Liṅga), a foundational outer discipline that supports inner Pāśupata orientation—turning the pashu (soul) toward Pati through regulated devotion.