Shloka 24

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

Devanagari script

रत्नानाम् अप्यलाभे तु हेम्ना वा राजतेन वा रजतस्याप्यलाभे तु ताम्रलोहेन कारयेत्

Transliteration

ratnānām apyalābhe tu hemnā vā rājatena vā rajatasyāpyalābhe tu tāmralohena kārayet

Translation

રત્નો ન મળે તો સોનું અથવા ચાંદી (રજત)થી બનાવવું. ચાંદી પણ ન મળે તો તાંબું અથવા લોખંડથી બનાવવું—જેથી પતિ (શિવ)ના લિંગપૂજનમાં અભાવ અવરોધ ન બને.

Word by Word

• रत्नानाम्: of gemstones

• अपि: even/also

• अलाभे: in the non-availability

• तु: indeed/then

• हेम्ना: with gold

• वा: or

• राजतेन: with silver

• रजतस्य: of silver

• अपि: even

• अलाभे: in the non-availability

• तु: then

• ताम्र-लोहेन: with copper or iron

• कारयेत्: one should cause to be made / have made

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-puja vidhi as received in the Linga Purana tradition)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Linga

FAQs

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

It establishes an authorized hierarchy of substitutes—gem, gold/silver, then copper/iron—showing that sincere Linga-puja should continue even when ideal materials are not obtainable.

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

By allowing substitutions, it implies Śiva as Pati is not confined to a particular substance; the Linga functions as a supported focus for devotion, where bhakti and right procedure matter more than luxury.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A practical rule of puja-vidhi (dravya-vikalpa): ensure continuity of worship by making or commissioning a Linga from available metals, removing external obstacles that can bind the pashu through pasha (limitation and neglect).