Shloka 40

Pārthiva-Śiva-liṅga Saṃkhyā-vidhāna

Enumeration and Procedure of Earthen Liṅga Worship

Devanagari script

किं बहूक्तेन मुनयः स्त्रीणामपि तथान्यतः । अधिकारोस्ति सर्वेषां शिवलिंगार्चने द्विजाः

Transliteration

kiṃ bahūktena munayaḥ strīṇāmapi tathānyataḥ | adhikārosti sarveṣāṃ śivaliṃgārcane dvijāḥ

Translation

What need is there to say more, O sages? For women as well—and likewise for others—there is eligibility for all to worship the Śiva-liṅga, O twice-born.

Word by Word

किम्what

बहूक्तेनwith much saying / by many words

मुनयःO sages / sages

स्त्रीणाम्of women

अपिalso/even

तथाlikewise

अन्यतःotherwise / in other cases

अधिकारःeligibility/right

अस्तिis/exists

सर्वेषाम्of all

शिवलिङ्गार्चनेin the worship of the Śiva-liṅga

द्विजाःO twice-born (brāhmaṇas)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Characters & Entities

Shiva

FAQs

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

It affirms that Śiva’s grace and access to liṅga-worship are universal: devotion (bhakti) and sincere approach matter more than social category, supporting the Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis on Śiva as the compassionate Pati who uplifts all beings.

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

The liṅga is the accessible, sacred focus for worship of Saguna Śiva, through which devotees approach the transcendent (Nirguna) reality; the verse states that this method of approach is open to everyone.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Take up regular Śiva-liṅga archana with offerings (water, bilva leaves) and japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” emphasizing purity of intention and steady devotion.