Shloka 29

Pārthiva-Śiva-liṅga Saṃkhyā-vidhāna

Enumeration and Procedure of Earthen Liṅga Worship

Devanagari script

चतुरंगुलमुच्छ्रायं रम्यं वेदिकया युतम् । उत्तमं लिंगमाख्यातं मुनिभिः शास्त्रकोविदैः

Transliteration

caturaṃgulamucchrāyaṃ ramyaṃ vedikayā yutam | uttamaṃ liṃgamākhyātaṃ munibhiḥ śāstrakovidaiḥ

Translation

A beautiful Śiva-liṅga, four aṅgulas in height and joined with a proper pedestal (vedikā), is declared by sages skilled in the scriptures to be an excellent liṅga for worship.

Word by Word

• चतुर्-अङ्गुल-उच्छ्रायम्: having a height of four aṅgulas
• चतुर्-अङ्गुल-उच्छ्रायम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + अङ्गुल (प्रातिपदिक) + उच्छ्राय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन; विशेषण of लिङ्गम्; समासः—चतुरङ्गुलः उच्छ्रायः यस्य (height of four finger-breadths)

• रम्यम्: beautiful
• रम्यम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रम्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन; विशेषण of लिङ्गम्

• वेदिकया: with a pedestal/altar (vedikā)
• वेदिकया: Sahakarana (सहकरण/सह)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेदिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), एकवचन

• युतम्: joined/combined (with)
• युतम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यु (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन; विशेषण of लिङ्गम्

• उत्तमम्: excellent
• उत्तमम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन; विशेषण of लिङ्गम्

• लिङ्गम्: liṅga
• लिङ्गम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लिङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन

• आख्यातम्: declared/called
• आख्यातम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ + ख्या (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगः (passive sense)

• मुनिभिः: by sages
• मुनिभिः: Kartr-karana (कर्तृ-करण/Agent in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), बहुवचन

• शास्त्र-कोविदैः: learned in the scriptures
• शास्त्र-कोविदैः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शास्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + कोविद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), बहुवचन; विशेषण of मुनिभिः; समासः—शास्त्रे कोविदाः (learned in scripture)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating scriptural standards of liṅga-worship to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: This verse is a śāstra-norm (vidhi) for an ideal household/temple liṅga (māna-pramāṇa), not a specific Jyotirliṅga legend.

Significance: Establishes that correct form (liṅga with vedikā/yoni-pīṭha) supports proper upāsanā leading to merit and grace.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It affirms that devotion should be supported by right form and right method—an appropriately made liṅga with a vedikā becomes a pure, stable focus for Saguna Śiva-upāsanā, helping the devotee’s mind settle into reverence and inwardness.

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

The verse gives a concrete standard for an ‘uttama’ liṅga used in worship: a measured liṅga (four aṅgulas high) properly united with a vedikā. This reflects Saguna worship where Śiva is approached through a sanctified emblem that channels offerings, mantra, and contemplation.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests careful liṅga-pratiṣṭhā and daily liṅga-pūjā with a proper vedikā; in practice, devotees commonly pair this with Panchākṣarī japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and steady dhyāna on Śiva as Pati (the Lord) present in the liṅga.