Shloka 19

Brahmā–Viṣṇu-Pūjā: Upacāra-Vistāra and Īśvara’s Prasāda

Offerings in Shiva Worship and the Lord’s Grace

Devanagari script

अनाद्यंतमिदं स्तंभमणुमात्रं भविष्यति । दर्शनार्थं हि जगतां पूजनार्थं हि पुत्रको

Transliteration

anādyaṃtamidaṃ staṃbhamaṇumātraṃ bhaviṣyati | darśanārthaṃ hi jagatāṃ pūjanārthaṃ hi putrako

Translation

This pillar (the Liṅga), beginningless and endless, will become as minute as an atom, so that the worlds may behold it; and, O son, so that it may be worshipped.

Word by Word

• anādi-antam: having no beginning and end / beginningless and endless
• anādi-antam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anādi + anta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण (neuter, nominative/accusative singular; adjective)

• idam: this
• idam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; सर्वनाम (neuter nom/acc sg; demonstrative pronoun used adjectivally)

• stambham: pillar
• stambham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: stambha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन (masculine accusative singular)

• aṇu-mātram: of atomic size / minute
• aṇu-mātram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aṇu + mātra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; परिमाणवाचक-विशेषण (neuter nom/acc sg; measure adjective)

• bhaviṣyati: will become / will be
• bhaviṣyati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: लृट्-लकार (Simple Future), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद (3rd person singular, will be)

• darśana-artham: for (its) viewing
• darśana-artham: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: darśana + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्यय (purpose adverbial: 'for the sake of seeing')

• hi: indeed / for
• hi: Sambandha/Avadhāraṇa (सम्बन्ध/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle/emphasis)

• jagatām: of the worlds / of beings
• jagatām: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jagat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन (neuter genitive plural)

• pūjana-artham: for worship
• pūjana-artham: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pūjana + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्यय (purpose adverbial: 'for the sake of worship')

• hi: indeed / for
• hi: Sambandha/Avadhāraṇa (सम्बन्ध/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle/emphasis)

• putrakaḥ: the son (dear boy)
• putrakaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: putraka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन (masculine nominative singular)

Speaker

Lord Shiva

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Liṅgodbhava

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Śiva explains the paradox of the liṅga-stambha: though beginningless and endless, it becomes aṇumātra (minute) so beings can see and worship it. This is a theological rationale for icon/linga accessibility rather than a specific Jyotirliṅga identification.

Significance: Affirms that the transcendent (anādi-ananta) becomes immanent and approachable for darśana and pūjā—supporting temple pilgrimage as a direct means to receive grace.

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that Shiva’s true nature is infinite (beginningless and endless), yet out of grace He becomes accessible in a worshipful form (the Linga) so embodied beings can receive darśana and approach liberation through devotion.

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

The verse explicitly frames the Linga as the compassionate, perceivable manifestation of the limitless Reality—Saguna worship (puja, darśana) becomes a doorway to realizing the Nirguna, infinite Shiva whom the pillar signifies.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Regular Linga-darśana and Linga-pūjā are implied—approaching Shiva through simple worship (abhisheka, offering, mantra-japa such as Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with the intent to see and adore the Divine.