Shloka 19
Liṅga-pratiṣṭhāvidhiḥ — Installation Standards and Auspicious Parameters for Liṅga Worship
बेरं गुरुभ्यो गृह्णीयात्साधुभिः पूजितं तु वा । एवं लिंगे च बेरे च पूजा शिवपदप्रदा
beraṃ gurubhyo gṛhṇīyātsādhubhiḥ pūjitaṃ tu vā | evaṃ liṃge ca bere ca pūjā śivapadapradā
One should receive the Berā (the consecrated emblem/image used for worship) from the Guru, or else one that has already been worshipped by holy devotees. Thus, worship offered to both the Liṅga and the Berā becomes a bestower of Śivapada, Śiva’s supreme state (liberation).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Not a specific Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse lays down a general āgamic-purāṇic rule: worship becomes liberating when the worship-emblem (berā/bera) is received through guru-paramparā or sanctified by sādhus, emphasizing authorized transmission (adhikāra) and consecration (saṃskāra).
Significance: Frames pilgrimage/temple worship as efficacious when linked to proper dīkṣā/ācārya-lineage and prior sanctification; the ‘Śivapada’ fruit is tied to right means (upāya) rather than mere physical act.
FAQs
It teaches that authentic worship requires proper spiritual authorization and sanctification—receiving the worship-emblem from a Guru or one already sanctified by saints—so that devotion becomes a direct means to Śivapada (liberation).
It affirms Saguna worship through tangible supports—Liṅga and berā—stating that when worship is performed properly, these supports lead the devotee beyond bondage to the Lord’s supreme state.
Adopt a consecrated worship-support (Liṅga/berā) through Guru-sanction or saint-sanctified tradition, then perform regular pūjā with disciplined devotion (bhakti) as the liberating practice.