Shloka 15

पार्थिवप्रतिमापूजाविधानम्

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

Devanagari script

जलतैलादिगंधानां यथायोग्यं च मानतः । मानुषार्षस्वयंभूनां महापूजेति कथ्यते

Transliteration

jalatailādigaṃdhānāṃ yathāyogyaṃ ca mānataḥ | mānuṣārṣasvayaṃbhūnāṃ mahāpūjeti kathyate

Translation

When water, oil, and other fragrances are offered in a fitting manner and in proper measure, then—whether the Liṅga is human-made, established by Ṛṣis, or self-manifest (svayaṃbhū)—such worship is declared to be “Mahā-pūjā”, the Great Worship.

Word by Word

• jala-taila-ādi-gandhānām: of fragrances like water and oil
• jala-taila-ādi-gandhānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jala (प्रातिपदिक) + taila (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + gandha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समाहार/तत्पुरुष-समास (जलतैलादीनां गन्धानाम्), पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी बहुवचन

• yathā-yogyam: as appropriate
• yathā-yogyam: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय) + yogya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास, क्रियाविशेषण; ‘according to suitability’

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक निपात (conjunction)

• mānataḥ: according to measure
• mānataḥ: Hetu (हेतु) / Prakāra
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: māna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb) ‘from/according to measure’

• mānuṣa-ārṣa-svayaṃbhūnām: of the human, ṛṣi-based, and self-manifest (types)
• mānuṣa-ārṣa-svayaṃbhūnām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mānuṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + ārṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + svayaṃbhū (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (मानुषाश्च आर्षाश्च स्वयम्भुवश्च), पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी बहुवचन; qualifying (pūjānām) understood

• mahā-pūjā: great worship
• mahā-pūjā: Karta (कर्ता) / Subject (of kathyate)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + pūjā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय (महती पूजā), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन

• iti: thus
• iti: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/इति-निपात (quotative particle)

• kathyate: is called/said
• kathyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kath (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (present), कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: This verse is a general ritual-definition (mahāpūjā) applicable to all liṅgas; it does not narrate a specific Jyotirliṅga origin episode.

Significance: Establishes that correct upacāra (offerings) with proper measure qualifies as ‘mahāpūjā’, implying enhanced ritual fruit regardless of liṅga provenance (human-made, ṛṣi-established, or svayambhū).

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Linga

FAQs

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

It teaches that greatness in worship (mahā-pūjā) lies in disciplined devotion—offerings made appropriately and with right measure—honoring Shiva as Pati through correct ritual order that supports inner purity and grace.

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

The verse explicitly speaks of Liṅga worship and affirms that regardless of the Liṅga’s origin—human-installed, sage-established, or self-manifest—properly performed offerings constitute the great worship of Saguna Shiva in the Liṅga form.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Perform Liṅga abhiṣeka and upacāras with water, oil, and fragrant substances in a suitable sequence and correct quantity, maintaining reverence and steadiness of mind (bhakti with niyama).