Shloka 27

Pāśupata-vrata Māhātmya: Dvādaśa-Liṅga Mahāvrata, Month-wise Dravya, and Pūjā-krama

Devanagari script

राजतं वापि कमलं हैमकर्णिकमुत्तमम् राजतस्याप्यभावे तु बिल्वपत्रैः समर्चयेत्

Transliteration

rājataṃ vāpi kamalaṃ haimakarṇikamuttamam rājatasyāpyabhāve tu bilvapatraiḥ samarcayet

Translation

Qu’on offre au Śiva-Liṅga un lotus d’argent au cœur d’or, d’une excellence parfaite. Si l’argent fait défaut, qu’on l’adore alors en offrant dûment des feuilles de bilva, honorant Pati (Śiva) par tout substitut pur que l’on puisse obtenir.

Word by Word

• rājatam: made of silver

• vā api: or else/also

• kamalam: lotus

• haima: golden

• karṇikam: pericarp/inner core of the lotus

• uttamam: excellent/supreme

• rājatasyāpi: of silver even/indeed

• abhāve: in the absence (of)

• tu: then

• bilva-patraiḥ: with bilva leaves

• samarcayet: should worship/offer with full reverence

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

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.

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

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.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

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.