Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 27

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

Devanagari script

राजतं वापि कमलं हैमकर्णिकमुत्तमम् राजतस्याप्यभावे तु बिल्वपत्रैः समर्चयेत्

Transliteration

rājataṃ vāpi kamalaṃ haimakarṇikamuttamam rājatasyāpyabhāve tu bilvapatraiḥ samarcayet

Translation

One should offer a silver lotus with an excellent golden pericarp to the Śiva-Liṅga. If silver is unavailable, then one should worship by duly offering bilva leaves—thus honoring Pati (Śiva) with whatever pure substitute is attainable.

Word by Word

• rājatam: made of silver

• vā api: or else/also

• kamalam: lotus

• haima: golden

• karṇikam: pericarp/inner core of the lotus

• uttamam: excellent/supreme

• rājatasyāpi: of silver even/indeed

• abhāve: in the absence (of)

• tu: then

• bilva-patraiḥ: with bilva leaves

• samarcayet: should worship/offer with full reverence

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that Shiva-Linga worship values purity and devotion over luxury: an ideal offering (silver lotus) is praised, yet a readily available sacred substitute (bilva leaves) is explicitly sanctioned.

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

Shiva is approached as Pati—the Lord who accepts sincere, sattvic offerings according to one’s capacity, emphasizing inner bhava over external opulence, while remaining the supreme recipient of worship.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A practical Puja-vidhi principle is highlighted: when a prescribed dravya is unavailable, one performs arcanā with bilva leaves—supporting disciplined upāsanā that reduces pasha (bondage) through consistent devotion.