Pāśupata-vrata Māhātmya: Dvādaśa-Liṅga Mahāvrata, Month-wise Dravya, and Pūjā-krama
राजतं वापि कमलं हैमकर्णिकमुत्तमम् राजतस्याप्यभावे तु बिल्वपत्रैः समर्चयेत्
rājataṃ vāpi kamalaṃ haimakarṇikamuttamam rājatasyāpyabhāve tu bilvapatraiḥ samarcayet
Debe ofrecerse al Śiva-Liṅga un loto de plata con un excelente pericarpio de oro. Si no se dispone de plata, entonces adórese debidamente con hojas de bilva, honrando a Pati (Śiva) con el sustituto puro que se pueda alcanzar.
Suta Goswami
It teaches that Shiva-Linga worship values purity and devotion over luxury: an ideal offering (silver lotus) is praised, yet a readily available sacred substitute (bilva leaves) is explicitly sanctioned.
Shiva is approached as Pati—the Lord who accepts sincere, sattvic offerings according to one’s capacity, emphasizing inner bhava over external opulence, while remaining the supreme recipient of worship.
A practical Puja-vidhi principle is highlighted: when a prescribed dravya is unavailable, one performs arcanā with bilva leaves—supporting disciplined upāsanā that reduces pasha (bondage) through consistent devotion.