Shloka 105
पार्थिवप्रतिमापूजाविधानम्
Pārthiva-pratimā Pūjā-vidhāna — Procedure for Worship of an Earthen Icon
भगवंतं महादेवं शिवलिंगं प्रपूजयेत् । लोकप्रसविता सूर्यस्तच्चिह्नं प्रसवाद्भवेत्
bhagavaṃtaṃ mahādevaṃ śivaliṃgaṃ prapūjayet | lokaprasavitā sūryastaccihnaṃ prasavādbhavet
One should worship the blessed Mahādeva in the form of the Śiva-liṅga. The Sun is the begetter of the worlds, and his distinctive mark arises from that very act of generation.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Kāśī’s Viśveśvara is praised as the Lord worshipped as liṅga; the verse’s solar imagery aligns with Kāśī’s theme of cosmic sovereignty—Śiva as the inner ruler even of the world-begetting sun.
Significance: Liṅga-pūjā to Mahādeva is said to yield prosperity and spiritual elevation; in Kāśī it is especially linked with Śiva’s salvific guidance.
Offering: dhupa
FAQs
It teaches that worship of the Śiva-liṅga is worship of Mahādeva Himself, the supreme Lord (Pati). The verse also points to a Shaiva reading of creation: even the cosmic functions (like the Sun’s generative power) have recognizable signs and are grounded in a higher divine principle worthy of worship.
The liṅga is presented as a tangible, worship-worthy form (saguṇa upāsanā) through which devotees approach the transcendent Lord. By directing worship to the liṅga, the devotee honors Shiva as the ultimate source beyond all cosmic agencies, even those that appear as creators or sustainers.
The direct instruction is liṅga-pūjā—reverent worship of the Śiva-liṅga. Practically, this is commonly done with mantra-japa (especially Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and simple offerings, cultivating devotion and recognition of Shiva as the supreme Lord behind all manifestation.