Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 84
लिङ्गपूजनसंक्षेपः
Concise Teaching on Liṅga Worship / Śiva-arcana-vidhi
कल्याणं जायते तस्य शुक्लपक्षे यथा शशी । वर्द्धते सद्गुणस्तत्र ध्रुवं शंकरपूजनात्
kalyāṇaṃ jāyate tasya śuklapakṣe yathā śaśī | varddhate sadguṇastatra dhruvaṃ śaṃkarapūjanāt
For him, auspiciousness arises—just as the moon waxes in the bright fortnight. Indeed, by the worship of Śaṅkara, noble virtues surely increase in him.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: General: Śaṅkara-pūjā increases kalyāṇa and sadguṇa, preparing the paśu for Śiva’s grace and eventual liberation.
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
Cosmic Event: Śuklapakṣa (waxing lunar fortnight) imagery used as an upamā for gradual increase of auspiciousness.
FAQs
It teaches that regular worship of Śaṅkara naturally produces kalyāṇa (auspicious well-being) and causes sadguṇas (noble virtues) to steadily grow, like the waxing moon—indicating gradual, observable inner purification.
The verse highlights the transformative fruit of devotional practice: worship of Śaṅkara in a manifest, approachable form (Saguna—commonly through the Śiva-liṅga) refines the devotee’s conduct and mind, preparing one for deeper realization of Shiva as the supreme Pati.
Consistent Śiva-pūjā—such as offering water, bilva leaves, and chanting the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—is implied as the discipline through which auspiciousness and virtues increase over time.