Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 16

देवदारुवनौकसां प्रति ब्रह्मोपदेशः—लिङ्गलक्षण-प्रतिष्ठा-विधिः, शिवमायारूपदर्शनं, स्तुतिः

Devanagari script

वर्तुलं चतुरस्रं वा षडस्रं वा त्रिरस्रकम् समन्तान्निर्व्रणं शुभ्रं लक्षणैस्तत् सुलक्षितम्

Transliteration

vartulaṃ caturasraṃ vā ṣaḍasraṃ vā trirasrakam samantānnirvraṇaṃ śubhraṃ lakṣaṇaistat sulakṣitam

Translation

शिव-लिङ्ग गोल, चतुरस्र, षट्कोण या त्रिकोण हो सकता है; वह चारों ओर से निर्दोष, शुद्ध और उज्ज्वल हो। इन शुभ लक्षणों से युक्त लिङ्ग पूजन के लिए उत्तम कहा गया है।

Word by Word

• वर्तुलम्: circular/round

• चतुरस्रम्: four-sided/square

• वा: or

• षडस्रम्: six-sided/hexagonal

• वा: or

• त्रिरस्रकम्: three-sided/triangular

• समन्तात्: on all sides/everywhere

• निर्व्रणम्: without blemish/without defect

• शुभ्रम्: pure, bright, white

• लक्षणैः: by marks/characteristics

• तत्: that (Linga)

• सुलक्षितम्: well-marked, properly characterized

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Linga-lakshana within the Purva-Bhaga discourse to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It gives core selection-criteria for a worship-worthy Shiva-Linga: acceptable canonical shapes and the requirement of being blemishless and pure, emphasizing ritual fitness and auspiciousness.

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

By allowing multiple geometrical forms while insisting on purity and flawlessness, it implies Shiva-tattva is not confined to one outward form; the paśu approaches the formless Pati through a sanctified, well-marked symbol.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights puja-vidhi through linga-parīkṣā (examining the Linga’s marks): choosing a clean, unblemished form as the foundation for disciplined worship that supports Pāśupata-oriented purification.