Shloka 16

Pāśupata-vrata Māhātmya: Dvādaśa-Liṅga Mahāvrata, Month-wise Dravya, and Pūjā-krama

Devanagari script

पुरुषेण मुनिश्रेष्ठा हरितालं च पूर्वतः सितागरूद्भवं विप्रास् तथा कृष्णागरूद्भवम्

Transliteration

puruṣeṇa muniśreṣṭhā haritālaṃ ca pūrvataḥ sitāgarūdbhavaṃ viprās tathā kṛṣṇāgarūdbhavam

Translation

O best of sages, first, on the eastern side, one should obtain haritāla (yellow orpiment). And, O brāhmaṇas, one should also procure the fragrant substances derived from agaru—both the pale (white) agaru-product and the dark (black) agaru-product—according to the rite. These pure materials are to be used as offerings in Liṅga-worship, supporting the devotee’s passage from pāśa (bondage) toward the grace of Pati (Śiva).

Word by Word

• पुरुषेण: by a man/with a person (the performer)

• मुनिश्रेष्ठाः: O best of sages

• हरितालम्: haritāla, yellow orpiment (a ritual pigment/substance)

• च: and

• पूर्वतः: first, at the outset

• सित-अगरू-द्भवम्: that which arises from white/pale agaru (a fragrant derivative)

• विप्राः: O brāhmaṇas

• तथा: likewise/also

• कृष्ण-अगरू-द्भवम्: that which arises from black/dark agaru (a fragrant derivative)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It specifies key puja-dravyas—haritāla and agaru-derived fragrances—indicating that Linga-puja is supported by carefully chosen, pure substances that refine the worshipper’s intention and ritual correctness.

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

By emphasizing offerings made to the Linga, it points to Śiva as Pati—the transcendent Lord who receives devotion through symbol and rite, and grants the pashu release from pāśa through grace when worship is performed with purity.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A practical aspect of Shiva-puja (dravya-saṅgraha: gathering prescribed materials), which in the Pāśupata-oriented frame functions as disciplined worship that purifies the pashu and aligns body, speech, and mind toward Śiva.