Shloka 35

Pārthiva-Śiva-liṅga-māhātmya

The Excellence of the Earthen Śiva Liṅga

Devanagari script

तस्माच्छास्त्रोक्तविधिना अखंडं चरसंज्ञकम् । द्विखंडं स्थावरं लिंगं कर्तव्यं परया मुदा

Transliteration

tasmācchāstroktavidhinā akhaṃḍaṃ carasaṃjñakam | dvikhaṃḍaṃ sthāvaraṃ liṃgaṃ kartavyaṃ parayā mudā

Translation

Therefore, in accordance with the method taught in the scriptures, one should fashion the undivided liṅga known as the movable (cara); and one should also, with supreme devotion and joy, fashion the two-part liṅga that is established as the immovable (sthāvara).

Word by Word

• tasmāt: therefore, from that
• tasmāt: Hetu (हेतु/Cause)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tasmāt (अव्यय/तद्-प्रातिपदिकात्)
• Form: Adverbial ablative (तस्मात्), indeclinable in usage; indicates reason/inference

• śāstra-ukta-vidhinā: by the scripturally prescribed method
• śāstra-ukta-vidhinā: Karaṇa (करण/means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śāstra (प्रातिपदिक) + ukta (कृदन्त/ppp from √vac वच्) + vidhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular (एकवचन); 'by the procedure stated in scripture'

• akhaṇḍam: unbroken
• akhaṇḍam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण of कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: akhaṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying liṅgam (understood)

• cara-saṃjñakam: designated as movable
• cara-saṃjñakam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण of कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: cara (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃjñaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying liṅgam (understood): 'called movable'

• dvikhaṇḍam: two-part
• dvikhaṇḍam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण of कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dvi (प्रातिपदिक) + khaṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying liṅgam

• sthāvaram: fixed
• sthāvaram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण of कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sthāvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying liṅgam

• liṅgam: liṅga
• liṅgam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: liṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• kartavyam: should be made/done
• kartavyam: Vidhi (विधि/obligation predicate)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kartavya (कृदन्त, तव्यत् from √kṛ कृ)
• Form: Gerundive/obligatory (तव्यत्), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative/Accusative (प्रथमा/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); predicative: 'is to be done/made'

• parayā: with supreme
• parayā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण of करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying mudā

• mudā: joy, delight
• mudā: Karaṇa (करण/means; manner)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mud (प्रातिपदिक; mudā)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a site-legend; it is a prescriptive summary: follow śāstroktavidhi in making cara/sthāvara liṅgas.

Significance: Frames correct ritual craftsmanship as a gateway to grace (anugraha) through proper upāsanā.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

The verse teaches that Śiva’s worship should be performed in a scripturally guided way, honoring both personal, accessible forms (movable liṅga) and established temple forms (immovable liṅga), cultivating bhakti with disciplined ritual—an aid to purification and liberation in Shaiva Siddhanta.

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

It directly classifies liṅga worship into cara (portable, for daily personal worship) and sthāvara (installed, for sustained consecrated worship). Both are Saguna supports for approaching the transcendent Śiva, making devotion steady and concrete.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests preparing or adopting a liṅga according to śāstra—either a personal portable liṅga for regular home pūjā or an installed liṅga for formal consecrated worship—performed with reverence and joy, typically alongside mantra-japa such as the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya").