Shloka 5
पार्थिवार्चाविधिः | Pārthivārcā-vidhi
Procedure for the Earthen Liṅga Worship
नदीतीरे तडागे च पर्वते काननेऽपि च । शिवालये शुचौ देशे पार्थिवार्चा विधीयते
nadītīre taḍāge ca parvate kānane'pi ca | śivālaye śucau deśe pārthivārcā vidhīyate
The worship of Śiva through an earthen liṅga is enjoined on the bank of a river, at a pond, on a mountain, in a forest, in a Śiva-temple, or in any pure and clean place.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s worship-methods to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva is accessible everywhere through sincere devotion: when the place is pure and the mind is reverent, even a simple clay liṅga becomes a valid support for worship, aiding purification and grace (anugraha) on the path to liberation.
The clay liṅga is a saguna support for approaching the transcendent (nirguna) Śiva. By worshipping the liṅga—especially in clean, sacred settings like riversides or temples—the devotee focuses devotion and discipline toward Pati (Śiva) who uplifts the bound soul (paśu).
Perform Pārthiva-liṅga pūjā in a clean place—such as a riverside or Śiva-temple—offering water and simple upacāras while repeating the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with steady attention and purity.