Shloka 3

लिङ्गपूजनसंक्षेपः

Concise Teaching on Liṅga Worship / Śiva-arcana-vidhi

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मनारदसंवादमनुसृत्य दयानिधे । शिवार्चनविधिं ब्रूहि येन तुष्टो भवेच्छिवः

Transliteration

brahmanāradasaṃvādamanusṛtya dayānidhe | śivārcanavidhiṃ brūhi yena tuṣṭo bhavecchivaḥ

Translation

Ô océan de compassion, suivant le dialogue entre Brahmā et Nārada, expose la juste méthode d’adoration de Śiva, par laquelle Śiva est comblé.

Word by Word

• brahma-nārada-saṃvādam: the dialogue of Brahmā and Nārada
• brahma-nārada-saṃvādam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक) + nārada (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃvāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (ब्रह्मणः नारदस्य च संवादः)

• anusṛtya: having followed
• anusṛtya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: anu√sṛ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; पूर्वक्रिया (having followed)

• dayā-nidhe: O treasure of compassion
• dayā-nidhe: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dayā (प्रातिपदिक) + nidhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative/सम्बोधन), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (दयायाः निधिः)

• śiva-arcana-vidhim: the procedure of Śiva-worship
• śiva-arcana-vidhim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक) + arcana (प्रातिपदिक) + vidhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (शिवस्य अर्चनस्य विधिः)

• brūhi: tell (me)
• brūhi: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √brū (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन

• yena: by which
• yena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; सम्बन्धे/साधने (by which)

• tuṣṭaḥ: pleased
• tuṣṭaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √tuṣ (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (pleased)

• bhavet: may become
• bhavet: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhū (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• śivaḥ: Śiva
• śivaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

Sages of Naimiṣāraṇya (requesting Sūta Gosvāmin)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: This verse functions as a framing request for Śivārcana-vidhi rather than a specific liṅga-sthala narrative; it introduces the transmission of worship-method as a means to please Śiva.

Significance: Establishes arcana (ritual worship) as a universal upāya for Śiva-prasāda (grace), a key Siddhānta emphasis for the bound soul (paśu).

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma
• Narada

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

The verse frames Śiva-worship (śivārcana) as a revealed, lineage-based teaching—rooted in Brahmā–Nārada transmission—showing that devotion guided by śāstric method leads to Śiva’s grace, the central means to liberation in Śaiva thought.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

By asking for the “vidhi” of worship that pleases Śiva, it implicitly points to saguna-upāsanā—formal worship of Śiva (often through the Śiva-liṅga) with prescribed offerings, mantra, and purity—through which the devotee approaches the transcendent (nirguṇa) Lord via a gracious form.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The verse requests instruction in śivārcana-vidhi, which typically includes mantra-japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), along with disciplined pūjā steps; it signals that correct method and heartfelt devotion together are the practical takeaway.