Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 15

Adhyaya 79 — Bhakti-Mahima and Linga-Archana-Vidhi

Condensed Ritual Sequence

Devanagari script

रोचनाद्यैश् च सम्पूज्य दिव्यपुष्पैश् च पूजयेत् बिल्वपत्रैरखण्डैश् च पद्मैर्नानाविधैस् तथा

Transliteration

rocanādyaiś ca sampūjya divyapuṣpaiś ca pūjayet bilvapatrairakhaṇḍaiś ca padmairnānāvidhais tathā

Translation

After duly venerating with rocanā and similar sacred unguents, one should worship with celestial flowers; likewise, one should offer unbroken bilva leaves and many kinds of lotuses—thus performing the floral service to Pati, the Lord who loosens the pāśa (bond) of the paśu (soul).

Word by Word

• रोचना-आद्यैः: with rocanā (yellow pigment) and similar (unguents/substances)

• च: and

• सम्पूज्य: having fully worshipped/honoured

• दिव्य-पुष्पैः: with divine/celestial flowers

• च: and

• पूजयेत्: one should worship

• बिल्व-पत्रैः: with bilva leaves

• अखण्डैः: unbroken/undamaged

• च: and

• पद्मैः: with lotuses

• नाना-विधैः: of many kinds/varieties

• तथा: likewise/thus

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Linga-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 specifies key upacāras (offerings)—sacred unguents, divine flowers, unbroken bilva leaves, and lotuses—showing that careful, pure materials are integral to Linga-puja and to approaching Pashupati (Shiva) with reverence.

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

By centering worship on the Linga and offerings made with purity and wholeness (akhaṇḍa), the verse points to Shiva as Pati—transcendent yet accessible through symbol and rite—who receives devotion and grants loosening of pasha (bondage) for the paśu (individual soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A concrete puja-vidhi is highlighted: anointing with rocanā-like substances and offering flowers, especially unbroken bilva leaves and lotuses—an external discipline that supports inner Pāśupata orientation toward purity, steadiness, and devotion.