Shloka 39
Pārthiva-Śiva-liṅga Saṃkhyā-vidhāna
Enumeration and Procedure of Earthen Liṅga Worship
ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियो वैश्यः शूद्रो वा प्रतिलोमजः । पूजयेत्सततं लिंगं तत्तन्मंत्रेण सादरम्
brāhmaṇaḥ kṣatriyo vaiśyaḥ śūdro vā pratilomajaḥ | pūjayetsatataṃ liṃgaṃ tattanmaṃtreṇa sādaram
Whether one is a brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra, or even of mixed (pratiloma) birth, one should continually worship the Śiva-liṅga with reverence, using the mantra appropriate to one’s prescribed method of worship.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Śiva Purāṇa teachings to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: General liṅga-arcana teaching: Śiva’s grace is accessible through liṅga worship irrespective of jāti; the ‘appropriate mantra’ indicates adhikāra-based procedure rather than exclusion from devotion.
Significance: Affirms universal eligibility for liṅga-bhakti; stresses continuity (satata) and reverence (sādara) as the core qualifications.
FAQs
It affirms the universality of Śiva-bhakti: regardless of social identity or birth, sincere and reverent worship of the liṅga with mantra is a valid means to purify the soul (paśu) and move toward Śiva’s grace (pati).
The liṅga is the accessible, saguna focus through which the devotee approaches the transcendent (nirguṇa) Śiva; the verse emphasizes steady worship and mantra-discipline as the practical doorway to that realization.
Regular (satataṃ) liṅga-pūjā with respectful attention and mantra-japa—especially the pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” where applicable—performed according to one’s authorized procedure and capacity.