Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 13

स्नानविधिः — गायत्र्यावाहन, सूर्यवन्दन, तर्पण, पञ्चमहायज्ञ, भस्मस्नान, मन्त्रस्नान

Devanagari script

अङ्गुल्यग्रेण वै धीमांस् तर्पयेद्देवतर्पणम् ऋषीन् कनिष्ठाङ्गुलिना श्रोत्रियः सर्वसिद्धये

Transliteration

aṅgulyagreṇa vai dhīmāṃs tarpayeddevatarpaṇam ṛṣīn kaniṣṭhāṅgulinā śrotriyaḥ sarvasiddhaye

Translation

बुद्धिमान श्रोत्रिय साधक देवताओं का तर्पण उँगलियों के अग्रभाग से करे; और ऋषियों का तर्पण कनिष्ठिका (छोटी उँगली) से करे—जिससे शिव-उपासना में सर्व सिद्धि पूर्ण हो।

Word by Word

• aṅguly-agreṇa: with the tips of the fingers

• vai: indeed

• dhīmān: the intelligent/wise one

• tarpayet: should satisfy/offer libation

• deva-tarpaṇam: the tarpaṇa meant for the Devas

• ṛṣīn: the seers (ṛṣis)

• kaniṣṭha-aṅgulinā: with the little finger

• śrotriyaḥ: one learned in the Veda (a qualified ritualist)

• sarva-siddhaye: for the attainment of all siddhis/complete success

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-puja and ancillary rites as taught in the Linga Purana tradition)

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Rishis

FAQs

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

It prescribes the correct finger-usage for tarpaṇa to Devas and Ṛṣis, showing that precise Vedic observance supports the purity and efficacy of Śiva-pūjā, leading to siddhi (successful completion of the rite).

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

Indirectly, it presents Śiva as Pati—the Lord who grants siddhi—while the worshipper (pashu) reduces pasha (bondage/impurity) through disciplined ritual order and reverence to cosmic powers (Devas) and seer-lineages (Ṛṣis).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Aṅga-nyāsa-like ritual precision within tarpaṇa: offering water-libations with specific fingers for specific recipients, as an ancillary practice supporting Śiva-pūjā and the practitioner’s attainment of spiritual success.