Shloka 92

पार्थिवप्रतिमापूजाविधानम्

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

Devanagari script

पूजिताभ्यां पितृभ्यां तु परमानंद एव हि । परमानंदलाभार्थं शिवलिंगं प्रपूजयेत्

Transliteration

pūjitābhyāṃ pitṛbhyāṃ tu paramānaṃda eva hi | paramānaṃdalābhārthaṃ śivaliṃgaṃ prapūjayet

Translation

When the Pitṛs (ancestors) are duly worshipped, they indeed attain supreme bliss. Therefore, for the sake of gaining that supreme bliss, one should earnestly worship the Śiva-liṅga.

Word by Word

• pūjitābhyām: by (those) worshipped
• pūjitābhyām: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pūjita (कृदन्त; √pūj पूज् धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त/ktá), Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Dual (द्विवचन); used adjectivally

• pitṛbhyām: by the two parents
• pitṛbhyām: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pitṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Dual (द्विवचन)

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात); contrast/emphasis

• parama-ānandaḥ: supreme bliss
• parama-ānandaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक) + ānanda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); कर्मधारय: ‘paramaḥ ānandaḥ’

• eva: indeed/only
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle (निपात)

• hi: for/indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात); reason/emphasis

• parama-ānanda-lābha-artham: for the sake of attaining supreme bliss
• parama-ānanda-lābha-artham: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/Purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक) + ānanda (प्रातिपदिक) + lābha (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); purpose-accusative; षष्ठी/तत्पुरुष chain: ‘paramānandasya lābhaḥ’ + ‘lābhasya arthaḥ’

• śiva-liṅgam: Śiva-liṅga
• śiva-liṅgam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक) + liṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘śivasya liṅgam’

• prapūjayet: should worship
• prapūjayet: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√pūj (पूज् धातु)
• Form: Optative/विधिलिङ् (Potential), Parasmaipada, 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); with preverb pra-

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Connects liṅga worship with paramānanda (supreme bliss) and with pitṛ-tarpaṇa ethos—suggesting Śiva as ultimate uplift of ancestors and descendants.

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Pitrs

FAQs

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

It teaches that honoring the Pitṛs is fulfilled most profoundly through Śiva-liṅga worship, because Śiva as Pati (the Lord) is the giver of paramānanda—liberating bliss—benefiting both ancestors and the devotee.

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

The Śiva-liṅga is the accessible Saguna symbol of the transcendent Nirguna Śiva; worship offered to the Liṅga becomes a direct means for grace (anugraha), leading to supreme bliss for the worshipper and upliftment of the Pitṛs.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Perform Śiva-liṅga pūjā with devotion—offering water, bilva leaves, and mantra-japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—dedicating the merit for the peace and elevation of the ancestors.