Shloka 1
Pārthiva-Śiva-liṅga Saṃkhyā-vidhāna
Enumeration and Procedure of Earthen Liṅga Worship
ऋषय ऊचुः । सूत सूत महाभाग व्यासशिष्य नमोस्तु ते । सम्यगुक्तं त्वया तात पार्थिवार्चाविधानकम्
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | sūta sūta mahābhāga vyāsaśiṣya namostu te | samyaguktaṃ tvayā tāta pārthivārcāvidhānakam
The sages said: “O Sūta, O Sūta, most fortunate one—disciple of Vyāsa—salutations to you. Dear one, you have correctly explained the procedure for pārthiva worship, the rite of adoring Śiva through a clay Liṅga.”
The sages (Ṛṣis) at Naimiṣāraṇya
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: The Kāśī/Viśveśvara tradition foregrounds liṅga-upāsanā; here the sages transition to a ritual-technical discussion (pārthiva-liṅga worship) as an accessible means for devotees.
Significance: Affirms liṅga-pūjā as a primary Śaiva upāya; the clay-liṅga rite is portable—pilgrimage merit is ritually ‘brought home’ through proper vidhāna.
FAQs
It establishes the authority of the teaching by showing the sages’ reverence for Sūta and their acceptance that the worship-method (vidhi) has been correctly transmitted—an important Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis on right practice guided by an authentic lineage.
By praising the “pārthiva-arcā-vidhāna,” the sages affirm Saguna worship of Śiva through a tangible Liṅga—specifically an earthen/clay Liṅga—where devotion is focused through form while aiming at Śiva’s supreme reality.
The verse points to the practice of Pārthiva Liṅga pūjā (worship of a clay Liṅga) performed according to proper procedure; it implies disciplined, scripture-aligned worship rather than improvised ritual.