Shloka 116

पार्थिवप्रतिमापूजाविधानम्

Pārthiva-pratimā Pūjā-vidhāna — Procedure for Worship of an Earthen Icon

Devanagari script

त्रिपादं मंत्रजाप्याच्च पूजया पूर्णभक्तिमान् । शिवलिंगं च भक्तं च पूज्य मोक्षं लभेन्नरः

Transliteration

tripādaṃ maṃtrajāpyācca pūjayā pūrṇabhaktimān | śivaliṃgaṃ ca bhaktaṃ ca pūjya mokṣaṃ labhennaraḥ

Translation

By applying the tripuṇḍra (the three sacred ash-lines), by mantra-recitation, and by worship, one becomes a devotee perfected in bhakti. Such a person—worshipping both the Śiva-liṅga and the devotees of Śiva—attains mokṣa.

Word by Word

• tri-pādam: three quarters
• tri-pādam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tri (संख्या/प्रातिपदिक) + pāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; measure ‘three quarters’

• mantra-jāpyāt: from mantra-recitation
• mantra-jāpyāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mantra (प्रातिपदिक) + jāpya (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: Neuter, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular; cause/source ‘from mantra-recitation’

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction particle (समुच्चय)

• pūjayā: by worship
• pūjayā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pūjā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; means

• pūrṇa-bhaktimān: fully devoted
• pūrṇa-bhaktimān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pūrṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + bhaktimat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; ‘fully devoted’; qualifies implied subject

• śiva-liṅgam: Śiva-liṅga
• śiva-liṅgam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक) + liṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; object of pūjya

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction particle (समुच्चय)

• bhaktam: a devotee
• bhaktam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhakta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; object of pūjya

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction particle (समुच्चय)

• pūjya: worshipping / having worshipped
• pūjya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √pūj (धातु) + ya (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: Gerundive/तव्यत्-भाव (यत्/ण्यत् class), indeclinable in sense; ‘having to be worshipped’ / here: ‘having worshipped’ (elliptic absolutive usage in some texts)

• mokṣam: liberation
• mokṣam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mokṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; object of labhet

• labhet: should obtain
• labhet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √labh (धातु)
• Form: Optative/विधिलिङ्, Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Singular

• naraḥ: a man/person
• naraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; subject

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating Śiva Purāṇa teachings to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Emphasizes the Siddhānta ethic that honoring Śiva and Śiva-bhaktas together accelerates purification and attracts grace; bhakta-pūjā is treated as a direct conduit to Śiva’s favor.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shiva Linga
• Shiva Bhakta

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It teaches that liberation is supported by integrated Śaiva practice—outer marks of devotion (tripuṇḍra), inner discipline (mantra-japa), and heartfelt worship—culminating in complete bhakti that leads to mokṣa.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

The Liṅga is affirmed as a valid saguna focus for worship; honoring the Liṅga alongside reverence for Śiva’s devotees expresses devotion to Śiva in both icon (arca) and living presence (bhakta-sevā), which the Purāṇa treats as mokṣa-giving.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Wear/apply the tripuṇḍra (bhasma lines), perform regular mantra-japa (classically the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and do Liṅga-pūjā while also serving and honoring Śiva-bhaktas.