Shloka 34
अंगुष्ठादावपि तथा पूजामिच्छंति केचन । लिंगकर्मणि सर्वत्र निषेधोस्ति न कर्हिचित्
aṃguṣṭhādāvapi tathā pūjāmicchaṃti kecana | liṃgakarmaṇi sarvatra niṣedhosti na karhicit
Algunos devotos incluso desean realizar la adoración comenzando por el pulgar y los demás dedos (según el modo prescrito). En todos los actos relacionados con el Śiva-liṅga no existe prohibición en ningún tiempo: tal culto es siempre permitido.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the teachings of the Śiva Purāṇa to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Not a site-specific (sthala) passage; it lays down a general rule of adhikāra: liṅga-sevā is not barred by time, place, or minor procedural variation, emphasizing Śiva’s accessibility through the liṅga.
Significance: Affirms that liṅga-worship is universally permissible; encourages constant devotion and removes anxiety about prohibitions (niṣedha), thereby supporting steady sādhana.
FAQs
It emphasizes Śiva’s grace and accessibility: Liṅga-worship is not restricted by rigid prohibitions, so sincere devotion can be expressed through simple, permissible methods that purify the soul (paśu) and turn it toward Pati (Śiva).
The verse affirms that worship of the Śiva-liṅga (a Saguna focus for devotion) can be performed in many valid ways; the essential element is reverence and right intention, not excessive ritual anxiety.
It supports simple Liṅga-pūjā done with the hands (even beginning with thumb/fingers as per one’s tradition), accompanied by bhakti and, where applicable, japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya.”