Shloka 24

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

Devanagari script

रत्नानाम् अप्यलाभे तु हेम्ना वा राजतेन वा रजतस्याप्यलाभे तु ताम्रलोहेन कारयेत्

Transliteration

ratnānām apyalābhe tu hemnā vā rājatena vā rajatasyāpyalābhe tu tāmralohena kārayet

Translation

If gemstones are unavailable, one may have it made with gold or with silver; and if even silver is unavailable, then one should have it made with copper or iron, so that the worship of the Liṅga of Pati (Śiva) is not obstructed by lack of materials.

Word by Word

• रत्नानाम्: of gemstones

• अपि: even/also

• अलाभे: in the non-availability

• तु: indeed/then

• हेम्ना: with gold

• वा: or

• राजतेन: with silver

• रजतस्य: of silver

• अपि: even

• अलाभे: in the non-availability

• तु: then

• ताम्र-लोहेन: with copper or iron

• कारयेत्: one should cause to be made / have made

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-puja vidhi as received in the Linga Purana tradition)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Linga

FAQs

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

It establishes an authorized hierarchy of substitutes—gem, gold/silver, then copper/iron—showing that sincere Linga-puja should continue even when ideal materials are not obtainable.

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

By allowing substitutions, it implies Śiva as Pati is not confined to a particular substance; the Linga functions as a supported focus for devotion, where bhakti and right procedure matter more than luxury.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A practical rule of puja-vidhi (dravya-vikalpa): ensure continuity of worship by making or commissioning a Linga from available metals, removing external obstacles that can bind the pashu through pasha (limitation and neglect).