Shloka 11
दैवे प्रस्थत्रयं योग्यं स्वयंभोः प्रस्थपंचकम् । एवं पूर्णफलं विद्यादधिकं वै द्वयं त्रयम्
daive prasthatrayaṃ yogyaṃ svayaṃbhoḥ prasthapaṃcakam | evaṃ pūrṇaphalaṃ vidyādadhikaṃ vai dvayaṃ trayam
For a consecrated (divine) Liṅga, three prasthas of offerings are deemed appropriate; for the Svayambhū (self-manifest) Liṅga, five prasthas are prescribed. Worship performed in this way is known to yield a complete fruit—and indeed to increase twofold or threefold.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Liṅgodbhava
Sthala Purana: Distinguishes consecrated (daiva) liṅga worship from svayambhū liṅga worship by prescribing larger naivedya-measures for the self-manifest liṅga, implying heightened sanctity and fruit.
Significance: Affirms that svayambhū-liṅgas (often tīrtha-kṣetras) yield amplified merit when worship is performed with proper dravya-pramāṇa; promises ‘pūrṇa-phala’ and multiplication of results.
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It teaches that devotion becomes especially fruitful when worship is performed with scriptural discipline (vidhi). Proper measure and reverence in Linga-puja bring “pūrṇa-phala” (complete spiritual merit), and for the Svayambhū Linga the merit is said to multiply further.
The Linga is Saguna Shiva’s accessible form for devotees; the verse specifies worship-standards (offerings by measure) for different Lingas, emphasizing that the Svayambhū (self-manifest) Linga is especially potent for gaining increased merit through correct Linga-puja.
It points to regulated Linga-puja with appropriately measured offerings (prastha), typically in the context of abhisheka and naivedya; the takeaway is to follow prescribed quantities and method as part of disciplined Shiva worship.