Shloka 19
Dāruvana-parīkṣā: Śaṅkara’s Test and the Linga’s Ritual-Theological Grounding
तल्लिंगं चाग्निवत्सर्वं यद्ददाह पुरा स्थितम् । यत्रयत्र च तद्याति तत्रतत्र दहेत्पुनः
talliṃgaṃ cāgnivatsarvaṃ yaddadāha purā sthitam | yatrayatra ca tadyāti tatratatra dahetpunaḥ
That Liṅga, blazing like fire, once burned all that stood before it; and wherever it moved, there too—again and again—it scorched all that was there.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Liṅgodbhava
Sthala Purana: The verse evokes the archetype of the self-manifest, fiery Liṅga that overwhelms the cosmos—an iconographic/theological motif of Liṅgodbhava where the Lord appears as an ungraspable pillar of light/fire, subduing all claims to supremacy.
Significance: Contemplation of the jyoti-stambha (pillar of light) motif cultivates humility (ahaṅkāra-kṣaya) and surrender to Pati beyond the reach of deva-power and rishi-knowledge.
Cosmic Event: Cosmic theophany of the moving, all-consuming Liṅga (jyoti-stambha motif), functioning like a localized pralaya-fire wherever it traverses.
FAQs
The verse portrays the Liṅga as the consuming fire of Śiva’s presence—symbolizing the power of Pati (the Lord) to burn away pāśa (bondage) and avidyā (ignorance), purifying all that comes into contact with Him.
It emphasizes Saguna worship through the Liṅga as a tangible focus of Śiva’s jyotis (radiance). The ‘burning’ indicates transformation: approaching the Liṅga with devotion and purity reshapes the devotee, dissolving impurities and ego.
Practice Liṅga-pūjā with inner purification—apply Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and repeat the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” contemplating the Liṅga as the inner fire that burns negativity and karmic residues.