Shloka 54
Pārthiva-Śiva-liṅga Saṃkhyā-vidhāna
Enumeration and Procedure of Earthen Liṅga Worship
न प्राचीमग्रतः शंभोर्नोदीचीं शक्तिसंहितान् । न प्रतीचीं यतः पृष्ठमतो ग्राह्यं समाश्रयेत्
na prācīmagrataḥ śaṃbhornodīcīṃ śaktisaṃhitān | na pratīcīṃ yataḥ pṛṣṭhamato grāhyaṃ samāśrayet
No debe tomarse el oriente como el frente de Śambhu, ni el norte como el asiento de las asambleas de Śakti; tampoco el occidente, pues ésa es Su espalda. Por ello, en el culto debe adoptarse la orientación correcta y aceptada.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
It teaches that devotion to Śiva should be guided by śāstra-based discipline: correct ritual orientation expresses reverence for Śiva as Pati (the Lord) and keeps worship aligned with sacred order rather than personal whim.
In Saguna worship of the Śiva-liṅga, directions and placement are part of the prescribed puja-vidhi; the verse warns against casually assigning “front/back” to the Lord and instructs the worshipper to follow the accepted orientation while honoring Śiva’s transcendence beyond spatial limitation.
It suggests careful adherence to liṅga-pūjā procedure—especially correct orientation/placement during worship—performed with mantra (such as the Pañcākṣarī) and a disciplined, reverent mind.