Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 25

व्यपोहनस्तवनिरूपण-प्रसङ्गे नक्तभोजन-शिवव्रतविधिः (वार्षिक-प्रतिमास-क्रमः)

Devanagari script

पौर्णमास्यां महादेवं स्नाप्य सम्पूज्य शङ्करम् दद्याद्गोमिथुनं वापि ताम्राभं शूलपाणये

Transliteration

paurṇamāsyāṃ mahādevaṃ snāpya sampūjya śaṅkaram dadyādgomithunaṃ vāpi tāmrābhaṃ śūlapāṇaye

Translation

On the full-moon day, having bathed Mahādeva and worshipped Śaṅkara with due reverence, one should offer to the Trident-bearing Lord a pair of cows, or even a copper-hued gift (a gift of copper), as sacred charity.

Word by Word

• पौर्णमास्याम्: on the full-moon day

• महादेवम्: Mahādeva (the Great God, Pati)

• स्नाप्य: having bathed (ritually)

• सम्पूज्य: having worshipped completely/with full rites

• शङ्करम्: Śaṅkara (the beneficent Shiva)

• दद्यात्: one should give/offer

• गोमिथुनम्: a pair (male and female) of cows

• वा अपि: or even/alternatively

• ताम्राभम्: copper-colored, i.e., made of copper (a copper gift/utensil/coin)

• शूलपाणये: to the Trident-holder (Śiva).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-puja and dana-vidhi to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It links Linga/Śiva-pūjā with śuddhi (ritual bathing), sampūrṇa-arcana (complete worship), and dāna (charity), presenting devotion as both inner reverence to Pati (Śiva) and outward dharmic offering.

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

Śiva is addressed as Mahādeva, Śaṅkara, and Śūlapāṇi—Pati who blesses (śaṅkara) and governs the removal of pāśa (bondage); worship and offering are directed to Him as the supreme recipient of sacred acts.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A Paurṇamāsī Śiva-pūjā sequence is taught: abhiṣeka/snāpana (ritual bath), full worship, and go-dāna (or copper donation) as a purificatory discipline that supports the devotee’s release from pasha through devotion and right action.