Shloka 47
Pārthiva-Śiva-liṅga Saṃkhyā-vidhāna
Enumeration and Procedure of Earthen Liṅga Worship
शर्वो भवश्च रुद्र श्च उग्रोभीम इतीश्वरः । महादेवः पशुपतिरेतान्मूर्तिभिरर्चयेत्
śarvo bhavaśca rudra śca ugrobhīma itīśvaraḥ | mahādevaḥ paśupatiretānmūrtibhirarcayet
One should worship the Lord Īśvara in these manifest forms—Śarva, Bhava, Rudra, Ugra, and Bhīma—and also as Mahādeva and Paśupati, adoring Him through these divine embodiments (mūrti).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: In the Kāśī-centered exposition, the Aṣṭamūrti are given Śaiva epithets (Śarva, Bhava, Rudra, Ugra, Bhīma, Mahādeva, Paśupati), guiding the devotee to see the same cosmic constituents as personal Lordship—especially Paśupati, the Lord of paśu (bound souls).
Significance: Strengthens Pati–Paśu orientation: worshipping Śiva as Paśupati and Mahādeva cultivates surrender and receptivity to anugraha (grace) beyond mere ritual merit.
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
The verse teaches that the one Supreme Śiva is approachable through multiple sacred forms and names; devotion to these manifestations purifies the soul (paśu) and leads it toward Śiva’s grace and liberation.
It supports Saguna upāsanā: while Śiva is ultimately beyond form, the devotee worships Him through recognizable forms and names—commonly through liṅgārcana—so the mind can steadily abide in the Lord.
Practice nāma-upāsanā and liṅga-pūjā by invoking these names during archana (offering flowers, water, bilva), and mentally contemplate Paśupati as the Lord who frees beings from bondage.