Shloka 56

Shivamurti–Pratishtha Phala: Shivalaya-Nirmana, Kshetra-Mahatmya, Tirtha-Snana, and Mandala-Vidhi

Devanagari script

गङ्गास्नानसमं पुण्यं लभते नात्र संशयः अस्तं गते तथा चार्के स्नात्वा गच्छेच्छिवं पदम्

Transliteration

gaṅgāsnānasamaṃ puṇyaṃ labhate nātra saṃśayaḥ astaṃ gate tathā cārke snātvā gacchecchivaṃ padam

Translation

He attains merit equal to bathing in the Gaṅgā—of this there is no doubt. When the Sun has set, having bathed with devotion, one proceeds to Śiva’s state (Śiva-pada), the supreme abode of the Pati who liberates the paśu from bondage.

Word by Word

• गङ्गा: the Ganga

• स्नान: bathing

• समं: equal to

• पुण्यं: religious merit

• लभते: obtains

• न: not

• अत्र: here/in this matter

• संशयः: doubt

• अस्तं गते: when (the sun) has set

• तथा: likewise/then

• च: and

• अर्के: in/with regard to the Sun (Arka)

• स्नात्वा: having bathed

• गच्छेत्: would go/attains

• शिवं: to Shiva/auspicious (Shiva)

• पदम्: state/abode

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the tirtha/vrata teaching within the Linga Purana discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Ganga
• Surya (Arka)

FAQs

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

It equates a prescribed purificatory bath with the famed merit of Gaṅgā-snāna and frames purification as a direct support to devotion toward Śiva, culminating in ‘Śiva-pada’—the spiritual goal of Shaiva practice.

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

Śiva is implied as the supreme ‘pada’ (state/abode) and as Pati—the Lord who grants the highest attainment beyond worldly merit, freeing the paśu from pasha through grace supported by right conduct.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ablution (snāna), specifically connected with the time of sunset (astaṁ gate), is highlighted as a Shaiva purification rite that prepares the practitioner for devotion and liberation-oriented practice.