Shloka 3

मेरुवर्णनम्—प्रमाण, दिग्विभाग, देवपुरी-विमान-निवासाः

Devanagari script

शराववत् संस्थितत्वाद् द्वात्रिंशन्मूर्ध्नि विस्तृतः विस्तारात् त्रिगुणश् चास्य परिणाहो ऽनुमण्डलः

Transliteration

śarāvavat saṃsthitatvād dvātriṃśanmūrdhni vistṛtaḥ vistārāt triguṇaś cāsya pariṇāho 'numaṇḍalaḥ

Translation

Parce qu’il est disposé à la manière d’un plat peu profond (śarāva), son sommet supérieur s’étend sur trente-deux (unités). Et sa circonférence, autour de la forme circulaire, est enseignée comme triple de sa largeur : juste proportion, indiquant la mesure harmonieuse du Śiva-liṅga.

Word by Word

• शराववत् (śarāvavat): like a shallow bowl/plate

• संस्थितत्वात् (saṃsthitatvāt): because of being set/formed thus

• द्वात्रिंशत् (dvātriṃśat): thirty-two

• मूर्ध्नि (mūrdhni): at the top/head

• विस्तृतः (vistṛtaḥ): expanded/spread

• विस्तारात् (vistārāt): from/relative to the breadth

• त्रिगुणः (triguṇaḥ): threefold

• च (ca): and

• अस्य (asya): of this (liṅga)

• परिणाहः (pariṇāhaḥ): circumference/girth

• अनुमण्डलः (anumaṇḍalaḥ): around the circle/according to the circular measure

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana’s instructions to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It establishes iconometric rules—breadth, upper expansion, and circumference—so the liṅga used in pūjā conforms to śāstric proportion, supporting correct ritual focus on Pati (Śiva) rather than merely a personal preference in form.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

By prescribing a precise, stable proportion for the liṅga, the verse points to Śiva as Pati—measureless in essence yet graciously approached through a regulated form that steadies the pashu (individual soul) and loosens pāśa (bondage) through disciplined worship.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Liṅga-pratiṣṭhā and liṅga-pūjā are implied: correct construction/selection of the liṅga’s form is treated as part of sādhana, aligning external ritual order with inner Pāśupata-style restraint and concentration.